Bleeding in pregnancy due to retroplacental situtation of guinea worms

Two cases of retroplacental guinea worms causing bleeding in the early and late months of pregnancy are reported. In one case, habitual abortions may have been due to the presence of a guinea worm. These situations and manifestations have not been previously reported. It is suggested that larval worms can invade the vagina, that the acid vaginal exudate destroys the Cyclops and releases the larvae which then penetrate the tissues and migrate to the retroplacental region corresponding to the migration from the stomach. This probably explains the higher incidence among females compared with males and of the pelvis over other regions.