Abnormal placentation: evidence-based diagnosis and management of placenta previa, placenta accreta, and vasa previa

Kiran Prabhaker Rao1, Victoria Belogolovkin, Jerome Yankowitz

  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.

Placenta previa, placenta accreta, and vasa previa cause significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. With the increasing incidence of both cesarean delivery and pregnancies using assisted reproductive technology, these 3 conditions are becoming more common. Advances in grayscale and Doppler ultrasound have facilitated prenatal diagnosis of abnormal placentation to allow the development of multidisciplinary management plans to achieve the best outcomes for mother and baby. We present a comprehensive review of the literature on abnormal placentation including an evidence-based approach to diagnosis and management.

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