Risk Factors and Perinatal Outcome in Placental Abruption

Abstract

Background: This is bleeding following premature separation of a normally situated placenta. It
is a life threatening complication of pregnancy associated with considerable maternal and
Perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors and
Perinatal outcome of placental abruption in a tertiary care teaching hospital.
Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Jinnah
Hospital, Lahore from May 2000, to May 2001. All cases of placental abruption delivered during
the study period were reviewed for risk factors and outcome. The study population was compared
with a control group of pregnancies who delivered without any complication.
Results: During the study period 84 cases of placental abruption were diagnosed. Risk factors
identified for placental abruption were increasing age and parity, pregnancy induced
hypertension, preeclampsia, intra uterine growth restriction and multiple pregnancy. As
compared to control group the rate of abdominal delivery was higher in study group. There were
25% intrauterine fetal deaths in the study group as compared to 4.76% in the control group.
Conclusion: Multiple risk factors are known to cause placental abruption. It is associated with
increased mortality and morbidity for mother but the Perinatal outcome is affected mostly. Bad
Perinatal outcome is associated with prematurity, low birth weight, intrauterine death and early
neonatal death.