Int J Anat Res 2019, 7(2.1):6450-55. ISSN 2321-4287 6450 Original Research Article GROSS MORPHOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF THE HUMAN PLACENTA WITH REFERENCE TO NEONATAL INDICES Joshua Tetteh 1 , Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo * 2 , Nancy Darkoa Darko 3 , Thomas Diby 4 . ABSTRACT Address for Correspondence: Dr. Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo (PhD), Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, Tel: +233 208 126 817, E-Mail: knustsmsanat@gmail.com The human placenta is considered as a mirror image of the neonate. The placenta provides an indirect link between the maternal circulation and that of the foetus and serves as the organ for exchange of materials through the process of diffusion. In evaluating the relationship between placental indices and neonatal outcome, a total of 236 placentae were obtained from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital in Kumasi for this study. Placental indices measured were the placental weight, diameter and thickness whereas those of the neonates were Neonatal weight, head circumference and length. Mean placental indices for weight, diameter and thickness were 578.81 g, 17.40 cm and 2.04 cm respectively. The mean neonatal indices were 3.24 kg, 34.27 cm and 50.64 cm for weight, head circumference and length respectively. Neonatal weight correlated significantly with placental weight, neonatal length and neonatal head circumference. The strong correlation between neonatal weight and placental weight as well as placental volume suggests that the healthy development of the foetus depends on a healthy placenta. This study further affirms that the placenta should be critically examined in order to effectively monitor and manage adverse neonatal outcome. KEY WORDS: Placenta, Neonate, weight, diameter, Indices. INTRODUCTION International Journal of Anatomy and Research, Int J Anat Res 2019, Vol 7(2.1):6450-55. ISSN 2321-4287 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2019.141 Access this Article online Quick Response code International Journal of Anatomy and Research ISSN (E) 2321-4287 | ISSN (P) 2321-8967 https://www.ijmhr.org/ijar.htm DOI-Prefix: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2019.141 1 Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. *2 Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 3 Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. 4 Department of Anatomy School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Received: 08 Feb 2019 Peer Review: 08 Feb 2019 Revised: None Accepted: 07 Mar 2019 Published (O): 05 Apr 2019 Published (P): 05 Apr 2019 Journal Information ICV for 2016 90.30 Article Information in its development and functions. It is the only organ in thebody which is derived from two separate individuals, the mother and the foetus. The placenta functions as a selectivity filter, directing the influx of oxygen, inorganic salts, sugars, amino acids, peptides and other biologically active molecules to the foetal The human placenta is a discoid organ which presents two surfaces; the chorionic plate facing the foetus and to which the umbilical cord is attached, and the basal plate which abuts the maternal endometrium [1,2]. The placenta is a dynamic organ which is unique