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The role of transvaginal ultrasound in the management of a low-lying placenta

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2002

Bahauddin Sallout
Affiliation:
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Ottawa, Canada
Lawrence Oppenheimer
Affiliation:
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract

Placenta praevia is an uncommon but dangerous and occasionally fatal condition. It increases maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Placenta praevia is one of the leading causes of third-trimester bleeding and the incidence of both placenta praevia and placenta accreta is steadily increasing due to the rising caesarean section rate. At delivery, women with placenta praevia have an increased risk of abruptio placenta, caesarean delivery, fetal malpresentation, postpartum haemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Massive obstetric haemorrhage is still a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, and placenta praevia/accreta remains one of the major predisposing factors.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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