Aetiological factors in placenta praevia a case controlled study

Abstract

Summary. The obstetric and gynaecological histories of 80 women with proven placenta praevia have been reviewed together with case controls matched for age and parity. There was a significant relation between placenta praevia and previous caesarean section (P<0·05), dilatation and curettage (P<O·Ol), spontaneous abortion (P<0·05) and evacuation of retained products of conception (P<Om05). Repeated uterine instrumentation was associated with increased risk of placenta praevia (P<O·OOl). We were unable to show any influence of previous termination of pregnancy. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that endometrial/myometrium damage is a significant aetiological factor in low placental implantation.