AccScience Publishing / EJMO / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/EJMO026190211
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Placental weight and neonatal outcomes among term singleton neonates in Sudan: A cross-sectional study

Wafa A. Bashir*
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1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
EJMO, 026190211 https://doi.org/10.36922/EJMO026190211
Received: 9 May 2026 | Revised: 21 June 2026 | Accepted: 26 June 2026 | Published online: 9 July 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Introduction: Placental weight is an important indicator of placental growth and function and plays a significant role in fetal development and neonatal adaptation. Variations in placental weight may reflect intrauterine conditions that influence neonatal anthropometric outcomes and early neonatal morbidity.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between placental weight, neonatal anthropometric measurements, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit among term singleton neonates.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 770 term singleton neonates delivered at Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Sudan. Data regarding placental weight, neonatal anthropometric measurements, gestational age, Apgar scores, and neonatal intensive care unit admission were collected and analyzed. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between placental weight and neonatal variables.

Results: Placental weight demonstrated significant positive correlations with: neonatal birth weight (r = 0.457, p < 0.001), head circumference (r = 0.332, p < 0.001), and neonatal length (r = 0.208, p < 0.001). No statistically significant association was observed between placental weight and gestational age (p = 0.266). The overall placental weight-to-birth weight ratio was 0.198. Neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit demonstrated substantially lower mean placental weights (540.91 ± 213.61 g) compared with neonates in good condition, suggesting a statistically significant association between reduced placental weight and adverse early neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion: Placental weight is significantly associated with neonatal growth measurements and early neonatal outcomes in term singleton pregnancies. Routine placental assessment may support the identification of neonatal risks and contribute to improved neonatal monitoring and care.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Placental weight
Term singleton pregnancies
Neonatal anthropometry
Birth weight
Apgar score
Placental efficiency
Neonatal intensive care unit admission
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The author declares no competing interests.
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Eurasian Journal of Medicine and Oncology, Electronic ISSN: 2587-196X Print ISSN: 2587-2400, Published by AccScience Publishing
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