Is Placental Ageing Real? Understanding Placental Senescence and Preterm Birth Risk

Updated: 3 Jul 2025, 2:00 pm

The placenta is your baby’s lifeline, but what happens when it starts to age too soon? Placental ageing, also known as placental senescence, is a real and increasingly studied phenomenon that may affect pregnancy outcomes, including risks of preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. This article unpacks the science of how and why the placenta may “wear out” too early, what signs to watch for, and what it could mean for both you and your baby.

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Your body adapts in remarkable ways to support your growing baby, but so does the placenta. This temporary organ is vital for transferring oxygen, nutrients, and hormones between you and your child. However, emerging research shows that just like any tissue, the placenta can undergo premature ageing. If this happens too early, it may compromise the baby’s support system, leading to complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, or even pregnancy loss.

In this article:


Though many healthcare providers monitor placental function indirectly, the biological process behind “placental ageing” is complex and not always visible on routine scans. That’s why it’s important to understand what placental senescence means, what contributes to it, and how it can be managed in clinical care.


What Is Placental Ageing or Senescence?

  • The placenta naturally matures and ages as pregnancy progresses. But when this process speeds up, especially before the 37th week, it’s referred to as premature placental senescence.Senescence is a state where cells stop dividing but don’t die. In the placenta, this shows up as reduced nutrient transport, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress.
  • It is a part of natural term placental maturation, but early onset can signal dysfunction.
  • Premature ageing of the placenta has been linked to complications such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preeclampsia, stillbirth, and spontaneous preterm labour.


Why It Matters: Impact on Pregnancy and Foetal Health

Placental senescence is more than a lab term; it has real-world effects on your pregnancy outcomes. Here’s how:

  • Restricted foetal growth: Ageing placental cells may fail to supply adequate nutrients and oxygen, leading to low birth weight or IUGR.
  • Preterm birth: Inflammatory markers linked to senescence may trigger early uterine contractions.
  • Preeclampsia: Abnormal placental ageing may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and high maternal blood pressure.
  • Stillbirth risk: Severe senescence is associated with placental infarctions and compromised blood flow.

Even if detected late, signs of accelerated ageing may prompt your doctor to plan for closer monitoring or early delivery to protect both parent and baby.


What Causes Placental Ageing?

There’s no single reason why some placentas age early, but several known factors raise the risk:

  • Oxidative stress: An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants damages placental cells.
  • Maternal conditions: Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity increase systemic inflammation, accelerating senescence.
  • Infections: Bacterial or viral infections may trigger placental immune responses that contribute to ageing.
  • Environmental exposures: Smoking, air pollution, and chemical toxins (like formaldehyde) have been linked to placental dysfunction.
  • Foetal chromosomal abnormalities: These can alter the natural rhythm of placental development.
Some of these triggers overlap with causes of preterm birth, making senescence a shared pathway that connects various pregnancy complications.


How Is Placental Ageing Diagnosed?

Currently, there is no direct clinical test to “diagnose” placental ageing. Instead, doctors assess it through indirect indicators:

  • Ultrasound findings: Calcifications, reduced placental thickness, or abnormal blood flow patterns (via Doppler).
  • Foetal growth monitoring: IUGR or changes in growth velocity can hint at placental inefficiency.
  • Histological examination post-delivery: If there are concerns, the placenta may be sent for pathology to check for signs like fibrin deposition, infarctions, or villous maturation arrest.
  • Biomarkers under research: Scientists are studying proteins like p21 and p16, known senescence markers, but these are not yet used clinically.
In high-risk pregnancies, your doctor may recommend serial scans or even hospital monitoring to keep a close eye on placental function.


Can Placental Ageing Be Prevented or Treated?

There is no guaranteed way to reverse placental senescence, but there are strategies to reduce its impact:

  • Manage maternal health conditions: Keep blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight in check.
  • Antioxidant-rich diet: While evidence is mixed, nutrients like vitamin C, E, and selenium may reduce oxidative stress in the placenta.
  • Aspirin therapy: Low-dose aspirin may be prescribed in early pregnancy for those at high risk of preeclampsia. It helps improve blood flow to the placenta.
  • Avoid harmful exposures: Quit smoking, reduce air pollution exposure, and limit use of harsh chemicals.
  • Close monitoring: For suspected placental ageing, your care team may adjust your birth plan, including earlier delivery if foetal well-being is compromised.
Always speak to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements or altering treatment.


Emotional and Practical Support

It can be distressing to hear that your placenta may be ageing too early, but you’re not alone. Many people go on to have healthy babies with the right care and monitoring.

  • Stay informed, not alarmed: Most cases are picked up during routine prenatal checks. Early detection allows for proactive planning.
  • Build a support system: Share your concerns with your partner, friends, or a therapist if anxiety becomes overwhelming.
  • Prepare practically: If early delivery is recommended, speak to your doctor about NICU protocols, steroid injections for foetal lung maturity, and breastfeeding support.
The placenta is often overlooked, but its health is central to a safe and full-term pregnancy. Placental ageing is a real phenomenon that can affect foetal growth, maternal health, and birth outcomes. While you can’t always control it, understanding its signs and risk factors gives you the power to act early. With monitoring, lifestyle changes, and medical support, it’s possible to navigate even high-risk pregnancies with confidence.


FAQs on Is Placental Ageing Real? Understanding Placental Senescence and Preterm Birth Risk


  1. Is placental ageing the same as calcification?
    Not exactly. Calcification is one visible marker of ageing, but senescence involves molecular and cellular changes that may not always be seen on scans.
  2. Can placental ageing be reversed?
    No, but its effects can be managed. Lifestyle, medications, and early delivery can help minimise risks.
  3. Does this mean my pregnancy is high risk?
    Not always. Many cases are mild. But your doctor may increase monitoring or suggest early intervention depending on the extent.
  4. Is this related to my age or lifestyle?
    Maternal age, stress, medical conditions, and environmental factors may all play a role, but not always. Some cases have no clear cause.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Sahana K P, Consultant - Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Apollo Hospital, Sheshadripuram

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