Abstract: The objective was to evaluate the relationship between the pathological features of umbilical vessels and placenta, the S/D ratio, and visual disturbances in pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH). The umbilical vessels and placenta of 41 women with PIH and 23 normal term-pregnant women(control group)were observed under light microscopy and a special staining method, doppler and ultrasound S/D ratio. The ophthalmologist examined the visual disturbances. Forty-one women with PIH were categorized into three groups according to the degree of lesions: no lesion(n=2), mild(n=17),and severe(n=22). The pathological changes of umbilical vessels and placenta in moderate and severe PIH were more severe than those in mild PIH(P<0.01). However, there were no apparent pathological changes in the control group. The pathological changes of umbilical vessels and placenta in PIH had a significant relationship with S/D ratio, and neonatal outcome. The pathological changes of umbilical vessels and placenta can reflect the characteristic lesion of PIH and are parallel with the severity of the disease. The pathological changes of umbilical vessels and placenta are parallel with the S/D ratio and the visual disturbances. The pathological changes of placenta are more severe than umbilical vessels.

Key words: pregnancy complications, hypertension, placenta, umbilical artery