[Fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by placenta praevia]

Intrauterine growth of neonates born from 167 pregnancies complicated with placenta praevia has been analysed. Growth in 22,7% of the total neonates was retarded as compared to fetal age. About half of these newborns died (18 out of 38). The authors draw the attention prematures with retarded growth. The total perinatal mortality amounted to 25,7% (purified percentage: 23,5). The placental coefficient value was consistently higher than the values obtained in normal pregnancies. This may be explained with the disturbed function of the placenta owing to its abnormal adherence. The retarded growth of the fetus seems to play an important role in the still high perinatal mortality rate of neonates born from pregnancies complicated with placenta praevia.