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Abruptio Placentae

Kathleen Barry, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Pregnancy complication caused by bleeding at the decidua-placental interface. The diagnosis is typically reserved for pregnancies after 20 weeks. 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Incidence

  • The prevalence ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • May present with classic triad of vaginal bleeding, contractions, and abdominal pain

  • Pain between contractions or contractions observed to be frequent or tetanic contraction (contracti...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Supportive maternal care and continuous fetal monitoring after gestation has reached viability

  • Decision to deliver infant depends on severity of the abruption, degree of progr...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Fetal growth surveillance with interval obstetric ultrasound

  • Correction of maternal anemia

  • Patient self-surveillance for symptoms of recurrent abruption

  • Elective del...

REFERENCES

1
Sakornbut  E, Leeman  L, Fontaine  P. Late pregnancy bleeding. Am Fam Physician.  2007; 75(8): 1199– 1206.  [View Abstract] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Ozcan  T, Pressman  EK. Imaging of the placenta. Ultrasound Clin.  2008; 3(1): 13– 22.

  • Salihu  HM, ...

CODES

ICD10

  • O45.009 Premature separation of placenta with coagulation defect, unspecified, unspecified trimester

  • O45.8 Other premature separation of placenta

  • O45.013 Premature separation of placenta with...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Placental abruption is the most common cause of serious vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy.

  • Abruption is a clinical diagnosis suggested by vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and contract...

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