Risk and risk estimation of placental abruption.
OBJECTIVE
Several variables related to increased risk of placental abruption are also risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Prior second trimester-, third trimester, and repeated fetal loss are reported to be associated to thrombophilias. However, it is yet not known if they are also related to placental abruption.


METHODS
A retrospective case-control study of 161 women with placental abruption and 2371 unselected gravidae without placental abruption. The medical files were scrutinized and the selected variables were investigated in relation to the development of placental abruption.


RESULTS
As compared to controls, previous second trimester-, third trimester-, repeated fetal loss, and prior placental abruption were related to a 3-, 13-, 3-, and a 25-fold increased risk of placental abruption, respectively. Several other factors were associated with a roughly three-fold increased risk such as: preeclampsia, IUGR, high maternal age (>35), family history of venous thromboembolism, smoking, and multiple birth. A risk score was created and as compared with those with no risk factors present, the risk of placental abruption was increasing from 2.5-fold for those with risk score=1, to almost 100-fold for risk score 4 or above.


CONCLUSIONS
Easily obtainable information might be used to classify the risk of placental abruption.
Lindqvist
Pelle G
PG
Institution of Clinical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, 20502 Malmö, Se, Sweden. pelle.lindqvist@med.lu.se
Happach
Catharina
C
D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology