Placental abruption in parents who were born small: registry-based cohort study

To assess whether parents who were born small for gestational age (below the 10th birthweight centile, SGA) have increased risk of severe or mild placental abruption. To assess whether a history of SGA in other family members modifies this intergenerational effect.

Prospective population-based observational study.

The Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

From 1967 to 2013, 785 333 mother-offspring pairs, 643 066 father-offspring pairs, 272 941 maternal tetrads (i.e. her offspring, sibling, and niece/nephew), and 265 505 paternal tetrads were identified.

Cohort study based on linked data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

Relative risk (RR) of severe placental abruption (preterm birth, birthweight below the 10th centile, or perinatal death) and mild placental abruption (other cases) in families with SGA.

Mothers who were born SGA had increased risk of severe placental abruption (RR 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.3-1.8), but not mild abruption. The paternal effects were weaker. The combined effect of SGA in the mother and her sibling on severe abruption was twofold (RR 2.4; 95% CI 1.7-3.3) compared with birthweight centiles ≥10 for both. Similarly, the effect of adding an SGA niece/nephew was twofold (RR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-3.9), whereas the combined effect of SGA in the mother, her sibling and her niece/nephew was fourfold (RR 3.6; 95% CI 1.9-6.8).

Women who were born SGA have an increased risk of severe placental abruption. The corresponding paternal effect was modest. A history of SGA in other family members increases the generational effect.

Women born small for gestational age have excess risk of placental abruption.