Abruption-associated prematurity

Christina S Han1, Frederick Schatz, Charles J Lockwood

  • 1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA. christina.han@yale.edu

Clinics in Perinatology
|September 6, 2011
PubMed

Chronic, subacute decidual hemorrhage (ie, abruptio placenta and retrochorionic hematoma formation) is an important contributor to preterm parturition. Such hemorrhage induces thrombin from decidual tissue factor, which plays a pivotal role in the development of preterm premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery by acting through protease-activated receptors to promote the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and matrix-degrading metalloproteinases. Severe, acute abruption can lead to maternal and fetal mortality. Current management of abruption is individualized based on severity of disease, underlying etiology, and gestational age.

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