Maternal and perinatal morbidity resulting from placenta previa.
One hundred forty-seven cases of partial or complete placenta previa from 1975 to 1982 were reviewed. A history of prior cesarean section was associated with a significant increase in maternal morbidity, including massive hemorrhage, placenta accreta, and hysterectomy. Despite tocolysis and transfusions to delay delivery, nearly two-thirds of the patients were delivered before 36 weeks' gestation. Onset of bleeding before 20 weeks' gestation was associated with a very poor fetal prognosis. The perinatal mortality rate was 81 of 1000. The overall incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was 22%; this was a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. There was a statistically significant correlation between antepartum maternal hemorrhage and the need for neonatal transfusion, and between the neonatal anemia and the amount of intrapartum maternal blood loss.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007746:Labor Presentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D010923:Placenta Previa / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy