Placental Vasculosyncytial Membrane in Tabacco exposed Indian Mothers : A quantitative and ultra structural study

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A comparative electron microscopic study was conducted to observe the effect of tobacco on the ultrastructure of placental vasculosyncytial membrane (VSM) during pregnancy. A study group comprising of 6 active smokers, 11 passive smokers and 8 tobacco chewers were morphometrically analysed against a control group of 25 placentae collected from non tobacco consuming mothers. A significant thieckening at sites of VSM with a reduction in their number per teriary villi, was obesrevd in the term placentae of all 3 sub groups of tobacco consumares in contrast to the control placentae.