Summary
- Separation of the normally located placenta before delivery of the fetus. May be concealed or overt.
- Frequently presents as vaginal bleeding associated with abdominal pain and contractions in the second half of pregnancy.
- Associated with increased perinatal mortality and morbidity. Also a cause of significant maternal morbidity.
- Risk factors include smoking, trauma, hypertensive disorders, and cocaine use.
- Diagnosis is made clinically. Some ultrasound features may be helpful. Other tests are, for the most part, unreliable.
- Management and outcome depend on the gestational age, the degree of separation, and the maternal and fetal status.
Other related conditions
- Overview of pregnancy complications
- Acute renal failure
- Assessment of vaginal bleeding
- Cocaine abuse
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Gestational hypertension
- Premature newborn care
- Shock
- Essential hypertension
- Pre-eclampsia
- Smoking cessation
- Uterine fibroids
- Placenta praevia
- Acute appendicitis
- Acute pyelonephritis
- Premature labour
- Urinary tract infections in women
Last updated: Jun 03, 2013
