[Chronic premature detachment of placenta]

to evidence the existence of chronic premature separation of the placenta.

retrospective. SITE: Hospital of the Jundiaí School of Medicine.

four patients of the authors.

without statistical treatment because this is not a comparative study.

chronic premature separation of the placenta, a classical asymptomatic or monosymptomatic disorder, can be detected by ultrasound and/or cardiotocography. Four cases seen among the authors' patients are presented, who were diagnosed by insidious evolution, discrete blood loss, and uterine excitability. Three of the patients were hypertensive. Diagnosis was established by amniocentesis, single or serial ultrasound, and cardiotocography. Newborns were premature, but the four of them survived.

the authors conclude that the obstetric treatment depends on gestational age, fetal conditions, size of the clot, and intensity of blood losses. A conservative approach may be appropriate depending on fetal-maternal conditions. However, further studies are needed to devise more adequate approaches.