Placental Temperature Assessment by Infrared Thermography: cross-section observational study

Abstract

The placenta is a structure that develops during pregnancy, responsible for fetal development and nutrition. The temperature of the placenta plays a crucial role in fetal development but remains an underexplored area of study. This research aimed to characterize, using thermal imaging, the relationship between postpartum placental temperature at a maternity hospital in the Western Amazon and factors related to the mothers. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a public maternity hospital in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Data collection involved 164 placentas and occurred in two stages: sociodemographic and clinical data collection, followed by image capturing of both maternal and fetal surfaces of the placenta using infrared thermography (T-360 FLIR® camera, Sweden). Among sociodemographic and clinical variables, there was no significant variation in the average placental temperature. However, isolated findings showed a maximum temperature of 41.8°C on the maternal side in cases of syphilis and nine preterm placentas with temperatures ranging from 37°C to 40.1°C. The average placental temperatures were within physiological parameters (mean 37°C), yet some placentas exhibited higher temperatures to which fetuses were exposed (mean 40.1°C, maximum 41.8°C). These results aim to contribute to establish reference placental temperatures.