Abruptio placentae



Abruptio placentae







  • Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall


  • Usually occurs after 20 weeks’ gestation, most commonly during the third trimester


  • Cause of bleeding during the second half of pregnancy


  • Classified according to degree of placental separation and severity of maternal and fetal symptoms (see Degrees of placental separation in abruptio placentae)


  • Possible complications: hemorrhage, shock, renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)


  • Also called placental abruption


Causes



  • Exact cause unknown


  • Traumatic injury


  • Amniocentesis


  • Chronic or gestational hypertension


  • Multiparity


  • Short umbilical cord


  • Dietary deficiency


  • Smoking or cocaine use


  • Advanced maternal age


  • Pressure on the vena cava from an enlarged uterus


  • Diabetes mellitus


Signs and symptoms


Mild abruptio placentae (marginal separation)



  • Mild to moderate vaginal bleeding


  • Vague lower abdominal discomfort


  • Mild to moderate abdominal tenderness


  • Fetal monitoring indicating possible uterine irritability


  • Strong and regular fetal heart sounds

Tags:
Jul 26, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Abruptio placentae

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access