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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Placental Dysfunction - Placental Insufficiency

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Placental insufficiency is the failure of the placenta to supply nutrients to the fetus and remove toxic wastes.

What is going on in the body?

When the placenta fails to develop or function properly, the fetus cannot grow and develop normally. The earlier in the pregnancy that this occurs, the more severe the problems. If placental insufficiency occurs for a long time during the pregnancy, it may lead to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Between 3 to 7% of all pregnancies are complicated by IUGR due to placental insufficiency. A low birth weight may be suspected if the size of the woman's uterus is smaller than what is expected for each week of pregnancy. The woman has a higher risk of having a child with IUGR if the following are present:

defects of the placental membranes

defects of the umbilical cord

abnormal implantation of the placenta in the uterus

a break in the placental membrane that causes the baby's blood to mix with the mother's blood

Rh incompatibility, a condition in which the mother's blood is not compatible with the baby's blood

being pregnant with twins or triplets

previous low-birth-weight infant

long-term high blood pressure

diabetes

severe kidney disease

heavy smoking

insufficient weight gain by the mother during pregnancy, defined as less than 10 pounds

preeclampsia or eclampsia, conditions which raise the mother's blood pressure

high altitude

drug addiction, such as addiction to cocaine

blood thinners such as warfarin

immunosuppressive medications

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the mother

alcohol abuse

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poor nutrition of the mother

infant with known birth defects or chromosome abnormalities

frequent vaginal bleeding due to placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is attached to the uterus over or near the cervix

certain blood disorders in the mother, such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia

premature placental separation, known as placental abruption

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