Placenta membranacea: an anormaly of the placenta: Three case reports.

RATIONALE: The placenta membranacea (PM) is a rare type of placental abnormality, which is associated with placenta previa, antepartum hemorrhage (APH), postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), chorioamnionitis, fetal growth restriction (FGR), preterm birth even stillbirth. The purpose of this case report is to summarize the characteristics and analyze the relevant factors of PM.

PATIENTS CONCERNS: Repetitive B-ultrasound of the first patient demonstrated a thin placenta covering the most part of uterine wall, which completely covers the internal cervical ostium for 22 weeks. B-ultrasound of the second patient showed placenta partially covering the internal cervical ostium and fetus small for gestation age for 23 days. The third patient complained of abdominal pain and vaginal discharge for 1 day.

DIAGNOSES: Diagnosis of PM is based on Doppler ultrasound apparatus, and confirmed by pathology.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: In the first patient, elective cesarean section was performed. The second patient required termination of pregnancy due to poor postnatal outcome. The third patient underwent intrauterine fetal death. Of these 3 cases, one delivered a term fetus by cesarean section complicated with placenta previa and placenta accreta, one terminated the pregnancy because of serious fetal growth retardation, and the other underwent intrauterine fetal death.

LESSONS: High-resolution color Doppler ultrasound apparatus can improve the diagnostic accuracy, and close antenatal surveillance followed by proper arrangement of delivery may improve neonatal outcomes.