THE MANAGEMENT OF ABRUPTIO PLACENTAE

Abstract

Summary The management of abruptio placentae at the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital over the five years 1966 to 1970 has been reviewed. There were 379 cases in 29,456 deliveries representing an incidence of 1.3 per cent or 1 in 78 deliveries. The overall perinatal mortality was 38 per cent and there was one maternal death. The perinatal loss related to prematurity and clot size was examined as well as the loss of fetuses which were alive on admission to hospital. Nineteen babies were probably saved by Caesarean section but 13 babies, weighing over 2000 g. and with clinical evidence of fetal distress died in utero and might have been saved by abdominal delivery. A 4.4 per cent incidence of fetal abnormality was noted. The role of fetal monitoring and Caesarean section are briefly discussed.