Placental maturity assessed by ultrasound has been classified into 3 grades by Grannum. Grade 3 before the 36th week of pregnancy is associated with adverse maternofetal morbidity. We sought to determine the prevalence of grade 3 placenta between the 34th and the 36th week of pregnancy and to assess its impact on maternofetal outcomes in Cameroon.

This prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2012 to July 2013 in the maternity unit of the Yaoundé Central Hospital.

One hundred and two women with singleton pregnancies between the 34th and 36th weeks were included. Grade 3 placenta accounted for 5.9% of our sample. Grade 3 was significantly associated with the following: anterior location of the placenta (RR = 5.36; 95% CI: 1.36–9.62; p = 0.03), pre-eclampsia (RR = 12; 95% CI: 3.52–20.8; p = 0,003), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (RR = 4.32; 95% CI: 1.65–11.51; p = 0.04) and intrauterine growth restriction (RR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.33–15.6; p = 0.007).

Grade 3 placental maturity before the 36th week of pregnancy is significantly associated with some maternal and fetal morbidities. Therefore, it warrants close monitoring to detect and avoid complications.

Hortence FJ, Florent FY, Fouogue JT, Thierry TT. Associations between the Grade of Placental Maturity at Third Trimester Ultrasound and Maternofetal outcomes at the Maternity of the Yaoundé Central Hospital: A Prospective Cohort Study. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015;9(3):230-233.