Maternal death at 28 weeks gestation due to vascular rupture of placenta accreta

Khaoula Magdoud1,2, Ons Hmandi1,3, Sana Menjli4

  • 1Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia (Magdoud, Hmandi, Azouz, and Abouda).

AJOG Global Reports
|September 29, 2025
PubMed

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is becoming increasingly common and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prenatal diagnosis and timely referral to centers have been shown to improve outcomes. We present a case of maternal death at 28 weeks of gestation due to massive internal bleeding caused by the rupture of abnormal blood vessels from placenta accreta. The diagnosis of PAS was suspected by morphological ultrasound at 23 weeks of gestation. Expectant management was decided for this patient since she had no children. The patient was transported to the emergency room at 28 weeks of gestation after having a sudden loss of consciousness without other signs (no pelvic pain, no metrorrhagia). After preliminary assessment, maternal death was noted. Hemoperitoneum associated with a placental vascular rupture was found at the autopsy. In the absence of a therapeutic consensus, this case highlights the challenges in managing pregnant women with suspected PAS disorders in the second trimester.

Related Concept Videos

Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
2.6K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.0K
Development of Blood Vessels01:07

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
1.4K
Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management01:19

Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management

The nursing management of Mitral Valve Prolapse, or MVP, centers around patient education, symptom monitoring, and lifestyle modifications.Patient Education on MVP Diagnosis and Heredity: Nurses should provide comprehensive education about MVP, a condition where the mitral valve does not close appropriately during heartbeats. This education often includes the condition's pathophysiology, symptoms, and potential complications, like arrhythmias or mitral regurgitation. Though not fully...
291