Abstract

Placental villous immaturity, also villous immaturity and villous dysmaturity, is chorionic villous development that is inappropriate for the gestational age.

It is associated with diabetes mellitus

and fetal death near term, i.e. intrauterine demise close to the normal gestational period.

Pathology

Placental villous immaturity, as the name implies, is characterized by chorionic villi that are inappropriately developed for the gestational age. The development and maturation of chorionic villi is essential for normal fetal development.

Immature chorionic villi are larger and have more central blood vessels; thus, the diffusion distance for gas and nutrient exchange is larger and, therefore, placental function is impaired.