Placental structure and inflammation in pregnancies associated with obesity

Abstract Background Pre-gravid obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for both mother and offspring. Recent studies have demonstrated a heightened inflammatory response both systemically and locally within the adipose and placental tissue in women with pre-gravid obesity, which may play a role in mediating the adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to characterise the maternal and placental inflammatory status and investigate associated changes in placental structure in obese women. Methods The pro-inflammatory status of a cohort of 47 non-obese (BMI 20–25 kg/m2 ) and 33 obese (≥30 kg/m2 ) women was characterised by measuring maternal circulating levels and placental gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and quantifying immune cell populations within the placenta. The effect of pre-gravid obesity on placental structure was investigated by examining placental maturity, vessel density, the formation of syncytial knots and sprouts, and the degree of fibrin deposition, chorangiosis and muscularisation of vessel walls. Results Maternal obesity was associated with significantly greater IL-1β ( p