Placenta previa--the identification of low- and high-risk subgroups

Among a group of 155 women with placenta previa (PP), two subgroups were identified: subgroup A consisted of 56 pregnancies (56 newborns) in women who had an asymptomatic antenatal course and who were delivered following a single episode of uterine bleeding; subgroup B consisted of 99 pregnancies (103 newborns) in women who had multiple antepartum bleeding episodes. The women in subgroup B were older, more parous, had more abortions and caesarean sections compared to those in subgroup A. Although the distribution of women in both subgroups with respect to the types of PP was similar, the prognosis in subgroup A was better with respect to various maternal and perinatal aspects. The recognition of low- and high-risk subgroups among women with PP may have practical implications for management protocols.