What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Placental-Chronic Intervillositis

What is Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta? (Definition/Background Information)

• Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta is an infrequent chronic inflammatory condition of the placenta. It is characterized by infiltration of white blood cells between the chorionic villi of the placenta
• Chorionic villi are small structures that arise from the chorionic membrane, and their function is to increase the contact between maternal and fetal blood circulation
• Possible causes for Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta are infections and immunologic factors (activation of the body’s own immune system). There are no specific signs and symptoms associated with this condition
• But, Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta is associated with an increased risk of abortions and fetal deaths. The condition has a high recurrence rate and the associated prognosis is not good

The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall.

• It is a disc shaped reddish brown structure that connects the fetus to the mother through the umbilical cord
• The umbilical cord contains two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein, providing a connection between maternal and fetal blood circulation
• The normal function of placenta is to supply nutrients and oxygen to the fetus from the mother’s blood and remove wastes from the fetal body
• The chorion and amnion are placental membranes. The chorion is the membrane that is present between the growing fetus and the mother. The amnion closely covers and protects the developing embryo

Who gets Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta can occur in pregnant women of all ages
• There is no racial, ethnic, or geographical predilection

What are the Risk Factors for Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta? (Predisposing Factors)

Maternal risk factors associated with Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta include:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• Intravenous drug abuse
• Pre-eclampsia: A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of kidney damage in the mother
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.
Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta? (Etiology)

• The exact cause of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta is currently not known
• A possible causative factor includes an immunologic origin, which means activation of the body’s own immune system that could result in this condition

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta?

There are no specific signs and symptoms associated with Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta.

How is Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta may include:

• Evaluation of medical history, along with a thorough physical exam
• Microscopic examination of the placenta by a pathologist: Cells and tissues are examined by a pathologist under a microscope. Pathological examination is generally considered to be a ‘gold standard’ for a definitive diagnosis. The pathologist arrives at a diagnosis after analyzing pathology findings along with clinical information of the patient. A pathologist may perform special studies on tissue samples to aid in the final diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta?

Complications of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta include:

• Recurrent abortions
• Intrauterine growth restriction of the fetus
• Increased risk of fetal death

How is Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta Treated?

There is no specific treatment for Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta.

How can Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta be Prevented?

Currently, there are no definitive methods available to prevent Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta.

What is the Prognosis of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

The associated prognosis of Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta is poor, as it has a high recurrence rate with increased fetal mortality.

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Chronic Intervillositis of Placenta:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-related-disorders/