The effect of placenta previa localization upon maternal and fetal-neonatal outcome.

The present study evaluated the association between maternal and fetal-neonatal outcome in women with placenta previa (PP) and the site of PP, i.e. low lying, marginal, partial or total. The study group was composed of 154 women (159 newborns) and the control group of 300 woman (305 newborns). Of the various parameters examined, the following 3 were associated with PP localization: advanced maternal age was associated with major types of PP, while focal accretion of the placenta and neonatal mortality in cases of vaginal delivery were associated with minor types of PP. No connection was found between antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum blood loss and any specific type of PP. A review of the literature and the results of the present study revealed that the use of the modern aggressive (conservative-active) management protocol in women with PP has resulted in a significant reduction in the maternal and perinatal complication rates, as well as a relative decrease in the importance of major types of PP and a relative increase of that of the minor types.