[Abruptio placentae]

Neither the frequency nor the clinical pattern of abruptio placentae have changed significantly in the past years. In a retrospective study (1979-1988) we found a frequency of 0.55%, that means one abruptio placentae in every 182 births. Important and significant factors which could be correlated with the abruptio placentae were: premature labour, vaginal bleeding and gestosis. The case histories show a high rate of abortions and interruptions (24.3%) of pregnancy, as well as premature rupture of membranes (15.4%) and multiple pregnancies. Ultrasound furnished valuable diagnostic criteria in only 7.7% of the cases. A high rate of breech presentation (1/5 of all cases) is seen in combination with premature birth (37% less than or equal to 33 weeks of gestation). Half of the patients showed disturbances of coagulation. The high rate of perinatal mortality (12%) is related to the prematurity on the one hand and too late diagnosis of abruptio placentae.