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Medical Health Encyclopedia
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Placental insufficiency

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Anatomy of a normal placenta
Anatomy of a normal placenta
Placenta
Placenta


Placental insufficiency

Definition:

The placenta is the structure that brings oxygen and nutrients to a fetus, and gets rid of carbon dioxide and other wastes. Placental insufficiency is an abnormal condition of pregnancy, in which the placenta, its membranes, or the umbilical cord develop abnormally and affect the growth of the fetus.

Placental insufficiency also occurs if the placenta does not implant correctly onto the surface of the uterus, and can be caused by multiple pregnancies.

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Certain conditions in the mother, such as high blood pressure, can contribute to problems in the placenta. In some cases, the placental membrane can break or leak, allowing fetal blood to mix with the mother's blood. This can be associated with problems such as Rh incompatibility.

Alternative Names:
Placental dysfunction

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

 







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