The association between maternal cocaine use and placenta previa.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine whether maternal cocaine exposure is a risk factor for placenta previa.


METHODS
In this case-control study, cases of placenta previa confirmed at delivery (ascertained by International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification, code-based search, N = 40) were compared with a random sample of patients without placenta previa (N = 80) in a ratio of two controls per case. Data on antecedent maternal cocaine use, as well as other potential risk factors for placenta previa, were obtained from a review of the prenatal chart and the hospital record. Categorization of cocaine use was based on either patient self-report or urine toxicologic testing, or both. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association between cocaine and placenta previa while we controlled for other variables.


RESULTS
After the effects of other variables were adjusted for, maternal cocaine use was an independent risk factor for placenta previa (adjusted odds ratio = 4.39, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 16.4). Other significant risk factors included a history of cesarean section and prior elective abortion.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that cocaine use, as well as prior cesarean section, prior elective abortion, and parity, are associated with placenta previa.
Macones
G A
GA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, USA.
Sehdev
H M
HM
Parry
S
S
Morgan
M A
MA
Berlin
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010923:Placenta Previa / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
D003042:Cocaine