Placenta previa: five year clinical outcome analysis from tertiary care centre in South India

Abstract

Aim: To study the incidence, risk factors, maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes in placenta previa. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of placenta previa cases who underwent caesarean section at Govt Lady Goschen Hospital, Mangalore from July 2013 to June 2018. Case sheets of patients were reviewed for clinical data. Results: The total number of placenta previa cases were 315 among 29,075 deliveries during the study period, incidence being 1.08%. Incidence was higher in multigravidae and 25-34 years age group. Previous history of caesarean deliveries, abortions and placenta previa was noted in 27.9%, 13.3% and 4.4% cases respectively. Diabetes, multiple gestation, uterine anomalies and fibroid complicating pregnancy was seen in 6.6%, 5.7%, 1% and 4.1% of the cases respectively. Major placenta previa was noted in 41.2% of the cases. Hypertension, oligohydramnios and fetal growth restriction was noted in 19.6%, 13.3% and 21.2% cases respectively. 47.2% of the cases received blood transfusion. Incidence of non-cephalic presentations was 18.6%. Maternal ICU admission, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and peripartum hysterectomy complicated 1.5%, 33.2% and 2.2% of the cases respectively. Low birth weight, NICU admission, preterm and neonatal deaths complicated 54.3%, 38.4%, 47.9% and 18.4% of the cases respectively. Conclusions: Patients with placenta previa have a higher risk of need for blood transfusion, prolonged hospital stay, maternal, fetal and neonatal complications.

Keywords

• placenta previa
• low lying placenta
• marginal placenta previa
• antepartum haemorrhage