Placental Abruption and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes

Abstract

Placental abruption results from a cascade of pathophysiologic processes ultimately leading to the separation of the placenta prior to delivery. Pregnancies complicated by abruption result in increased frequency of low birth weight, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and perinatal death.^1-4 Attempts to understand this condition have focused on describing its etiology, with little attention directed toward evaluating its sequlae on outcomes of pregnancy. Even among studies that have reported associations between placental abruption and adverse perinatal outcomes, many have been based on unadjusted analysis without adequate control for the influences of potential confounding factors.^1-5 Finally, the extent of placental detachment and its effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes and the dose-response gradients between the extent of placental separation and adverse pregnancy outcomes have not been examined.