Women with significant obstetric histories can also be at higher risk for developing any type of pregnancy complication, including circumvallate placenta, and are recommended to be screened for placental abnormalities within their second trimester of pregnancy. Research Directions
The placenta plays a dominant role in being responsible for a variety of complications within pregnancy and labor. Placental pathological studies have significantly contributed to recent obstetric literature. Many studies have examined the clinical significance of patients with circumvallate placenta compared to patients with a normal placenta. They have revealed that incidences of preterm birth, oligohydramnios, placental abruption, low birth weight, and fetal death were present in significantly higher rates than when compared to control patients with normal placentas. Because circumvallate placenta is such a rare condition, it is difficult to gain significant evidence and data.A case study reported in 2020 observed the correlation between circumvallate placenta and the occurrence of obstetric complications such as battledore insertion. Battledore insertion, abnormal insertion of the umbilical cord into the placenta, occurs in about 7% of pregnancies and can also result in many of the same pregnancy complications as circumvallate placenta; intrauterine growth restriction, fetal distress, and fetal death. This abnormal insertion of the umbilical cord into the placenta can result in a loss of adequate blood flow to the developing fetus due to restriction. The fetus is unable to obtain normal amounts of required oxygen and nutrition through the placenta, and this can further cause other severe complications.
This thick ring of membranes is composed of a double fold of amnion and chorion with degenerated decidua vera and fibrin in between. Blood vessels, supplying nutrients and carrying waste products to and from the developing fetus, radiate from the umbilical cord insertion to as far as the ring of membranes, and then disappears from view. Signs & Symptoms
A circumvallate placenta does not always induce associated symptoms during pregnancy, making it extremely difficult to diagnose a circumvallate placenta in asymptomatic mothers. In symptomatic mothers, physicians may be able to detect a circumvallate placenta based on the presentation of the following signs. Vaginal bleeding: A circumvallate placenta can increase the risk of frequent vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy. In a study conducted with 92 women with a circumvallate placenta, it was concluded that incidences of vaginal bleeding were significantly higher in women with a circumvallate placenta during all three trimesters when compared to the control group. However, a noted limitation of the study considered by the researchers was that because the study included such a small number of women, the obtained results may not be fully representative of the general population. Because the chorionic plate is much smaller than the basal plate in a circumvallate placenta, vaginal bleeding tends to occur at this site where the placenta is exposed and uncovered. In mothers presenting with vaginal bleeding, circumvallate placenta should be suspected as a possible cause of the vaginal bleeding.