Placenta previa; a study to determine responsible factors

ABSTRACT

To determine the factors suspected to be associated with placenta praevia. It was a case control analytical study. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-I, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. This study was conducted from 13th August 2004 to 12th February 2005. 50 cases of placenta praevia was selected on the basis of ultrasonography from out patients, emergency and indoor patients. 250 controls were taken [50 for each variable i.e. age, parity, previous history of caesarean section, smoking and previous history of placenta previa] and were divided into 5 groups after matching. The study revealed that placenta praevia was more prevalent in elderly patients [72%], grand multiparas [68%] in patient with history of previous caesarean deliveries [52%] and in patients who smoked [30%] but this study did not identify previous history of placenta praevia [44%] as a risk factor for subsequent pregnancies. It was concluded that maternal and fetal mortality can be reduced by identifying high risk patients [in whom any of above mentioned risk factors were present] and educating them for care about next pregnancy