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Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is associated with placental morphological changes and adverse
fetal outcome. A total of 100 placentae were collected from labour room and from gynecological
operation theatre, Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, 75 placentae were from pregnancies associated with PIH
(study group) and 25 cases were associated with normotensive pregnancies (control group) and were
studied for site of umbilical cord insertion. Findings were correlated with fetal outcome. The study group
had 25 (33.33%) cases of central and 23 (30.67%) cases of eccentric insertion of umbilical cord.
Marginal insertion of umbilical cord was found in 16 (21.33%) cases of study group as compared to only
2 (8%) cases of control group. In PIH, marginal insertion of umbilical cord was assosciated with IUGR
and IUDs . Fetal outcome was significantly poor in preeclampsia as compared to normotensive
pregnancies (p<.0001). In PIH, impaired placental perfusion is directly related to poor fetal outcome.
Hence ultrasonographic study of umbilical cord insertion site and placenta is useful for managing fetal
outcome in PIH patients.
Key words: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), umbilical cord insertion, fetal outcome.