Outcomes of subsequent pregnancies after conservative treatment for placenta accreta

To estimate the association between conservative treatment for placenta accreta and subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

In a retrospective study, data were analyzed on women who received conservative treatment for placenta accreta (removal of the placenta with uterine preservation) at a tertiary hospital in Jerusalem, Israel, between 1990 and 2000. Data were collected on subsequent pregnancies and neonatal outcomes until 2010, and compared with those from a matched control group of women who did not have placenta accreta.

A total of 134 women were included in both groups. Placenta accreta occurred in 62 (22.8%) of 272 subsequent deliveries in the study group for which data were available and 5 (1.9%) of 266 in the control group (relative risk [RR] 12.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.95-29.69; P<0.001). Early postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 23 (8.6%) of 268 deliveries in the study group and 7 (2.6%) of 268 in the control group (RR 3.29; 95% CI 1.43-7.53; P<0.001). The odds ratio for recurrent placenta accreta in subsequent deliveries in the study group was 15.41 (95% CI 6.09-39.03; P<0.001).

Although subsequent pregnancies after conservative treatment for placenta accreta were mostly successful, the risk of recurrent placenta accreta and postpartum hemorrhage is high in future deliveries.