One Year Review of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Associated with Placenta Previa in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Placenta previa is a condition of pregnancy in which placenta is attached to the lower segment of the uterus, partially or completely covering the internalos. It is one of the leading causes of major obstetric haemorrhage, which is the most common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective: 1) To identify the risk factors associated with placenta previa. 2) To review the maternal mortality and morbidity associated with placenta previa. Study Design: Case series descriptive study. Settings: Study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit – III Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore. Duration of Study: One year (2011) and 52 patients were included in study. Inclusion Criteria: Patients with all types of placenta previa at 30 wks onwards were included in the study. Results: Mostly patients were between 26-30 yrs of age (55.7%). Presentation at 34 to 36 weeks (46.15%), 61.5% patients presented with history of previous surgery as previous lower segment caesarean section and D C. Conclusion: Incidence of placenta previa is rising with previous surgeries with subsequent increase in associated morbidity i.e. incidence of caesarean hysterectomy, need for blood transfusions and bladder injury.