Normal Placental Development and the Triad of Placental Dysfunction: The Maternal and Fetal Complications

The placenta is crucial to the development of a fetus, playing a vital role from fertilization of an egg by sperm until the delivery of the fetus. Without the placenta, the fetus would not receive essential nutrients or oxygen from the mother and be able to rid itself of toxic wastes. Given the necessity of this temporary organ, improper formation of the placenta can lead to many health problems. These complications have an effect on the mother as well as the fetus given the essential link the placenta makes between fetal and maternal circulation. The main concerns with impaired placental function are commonly known as the triad of placental dysfunction. The triad of placental dysfunction includes preeclampsia, HELLP Syndrome, and IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) . The purpose of this review article is to explore the pathogenesis, the diagnostic and predictive criteria, and treatment for the disorders composing the triad of placental dysfunction to allow better outcomes for both the mother and fetus