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.

STUDY

DESIGN

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.

CONCLUSION

Easily obtainable information might be used to classify the risk of placental abruption.