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Abstract
Background: This cross sectional study was designed
to compare the histomorphological characteristics of
human placenta at low and high altitudes, with special
reference to villous membrane. It was a cross sectional
comparative study, conducted at Anatomy department of
Army Medical College Rawalpindi, from October 2002 to
April 2003.
Methods: Forty placentae were collected from normal
cases at Rawalpindi (low altitude/ LA) and 40 were
collected at Skardu (high altitude/HA). Samples of
placental tissue were taken and processed. Histological
study was done in H & E and PAS stained sections.
Detailed morphology of terminal villi and villous
membrane was studied. Thickness of villous membrane
was measured which has not been mentioned in previous
studies.
Results: Mean value of villous membrane thickness in
LA and HA groups was 2.188 + 0.023 m and 2.027 + 0.020
m respectively. The quantitative difference between
mean thickness of villous membrane in LA and HA groups
was statistically significant
Conclusion: Thickness of villous membrane was
significantly less in high altitude group probably showing
adaptive changes to overcome the effect of reduced
oxygen tension.