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Placenta abruptio
Alternate Names : Premature separation of placenta, Ablatio placentae, Abruptio placentae, Placental abruption
Definition
Placenta abruptio is separation of the placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus) from the site of uterine implantation before delivery of the fetus.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The exact cause of a placetal abruption may be difficult to determine. Direct causes are rare, but include: - Abnormally short umbilical cord
- Injury to the belly area (abdomen) from a fall or automobile accident
- Sudden loss in uterine volume (can occur with rapid loss of amniotic fluid or the delivery of a first twin)
Risk factors include: - Advanced maternal age
- Cigarette smoking
- Cocaine use
- Diabetes
- Drinking more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week during pregnancy
- High blood pressure during pregnancy -- About half of placental abruptions that lead to the baby's death are linked to high blood pressure
- History of placenta abruptio
- Increased uterine distention (as may occur with multiple pregnancies or abnormally large volume of amniotic fluid)
- Large number of prior deliveries
Placenta abruptio, including any amount of placental separation prior to delivery, occurs in about 1 out of 150 deliveries. The severe form, which results in fetal death, occurs only in about 1 out of 500 to 750 deliveries.
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Review Date : 10/28/2008
Reviewed By : Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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