Is the Perinatal Outcome of Placental Abruption Modified by Clinical Presentation?

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of the clinical presentation on perinatal outcome in placental abruption. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study was performed in 97 placental abruptions. Placental abruptions were classified according to clinical presentation: pregnancy-induced hypertension (HT, n = 22), threatened premature labor and/or premature rupture of membranes (TPL/ROM, n = 35), clinically low risk (LR, n = 27), and others (n = 13). Perinatal outcomes were compared among the HT, TPL/ROM, and LR groups. RESULTS The HT had significantly higher incidence of IUGR, IFUD, and low fibrinogen. The TPL/ROM had less severe disease. However, the LR had significantly higher incidence of IUFD, low UA pH < 7.1, low Apgar score of <7 at 5 min, and low fibrinogen. CONCLUSION Disease severity in placental abruption is likely to depend on the clinical presentation.