Purpose: Antepartum hemorrhage (APH) in women with placenta previa (PP) has been associated with increased perinatal complications. The present study aims to evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes, and risk factors related to this condition.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Military Medical University from January 2016 to September 2019, which included all women with PP. The clinical and ultrasound features in patients with or without APH were compared.
Results: There were 233 women with APH and 302 women without APH in the cohort. Most of the women with APH were prone to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In the logistic regression analysis, cervical length was inversely correlated to APH (OR: 0.972, 95% CI: 0.952∼ 0.993), while complete PP increased the risk for APH (OR: 2.121, 95% CI: 1.208∼ 3.732). Furthermore, the anterior placenta increased the risk for APH (OR: 1.664, 95% CI: 1.139∼ 2.430), the partial absence of the over lying myometrium increased the risk for APH (OR: 2.015, 95% CI: 1.293∼ 3.141), and the previous history of uterine artery embolization (UAE) increased the highest risk for APH (OR: 11.706, 95% CI: 1.424∼ 96.195).
Conclusion: Obstetricians should be aware of the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes related to APH in women with complete PP, short cervical length, anterior placenta, and partially absent over lying myometrium. Prior UAE is a novel risk factor associated with increased prevalence of APH.
Keywords: placenta previa, antepartum hemorrhage, bleeding, pregnancy complications, risk factor