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A Sonographic Assessment of Different Patterns of Placenta Previa "Migration" in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (M.P., S.C.P., C.J.-P., S.T.C., F.A.C.), and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (R.N.B.), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York USA.

Address correspondence to Mladen Predanic, MD, MSc, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 525 E 68th St, Suite M-704, New York, NY 10021 USA. E-mail: mlp2001{at}med.cornell.edu

Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the rates and patterns of placental "migration" with the mode of fetal and placental delivery and the incidence of peripartum complications. Methods. This was a retrospective study of 163 cases of placenta previa diagnosed by transvaginal sonography at 28 weeks’ gestation that were followed serially by sonography. The patients were stratified into 3 groups depending on the placenta-to-internal cervical os distance: (1) an overlap of 0.0 cm or greater over the cervical os, (2) 0.1 to 2.9 cm, and (3) 3.0 cm or greater. The mean rate of placental migration (millimeters per week) was obtained at 28 to 32 and 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation. A pattern of placental migration was classified as one with acceleration or deceleration of the placental migration in the late third trimester based on a comparison between the migration rates at 28 to 32 and 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation. Results. At the time of delivery, 22, 29, and 112 patients were included in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The rates of placental migration correlated with the final placental distance from the internal cervical os (0.1 to 4.1 mm/wk for groups 1 and 3, respectively). Significantly higher rates of interventional cesarean delivery (CD) (P = .0002), elective CD (P = .0254), manual placenta removal (P = .0419), and placenta accreta (P = .0039), but not CD for indications other than placenta previa (P = .0752), were associated with a placental distance of less than 2.0 cm away from the cervix and a deceleration pattern of placental migration. In contrast, vaginal delivery was significantly associated with a placental distance of 2.0 cm or greater away from the cervix and an acceleration pattern of placental migration (P = .0034). Conclusions. A final placental distance of less than 2.0 cm from the internal cervical os and a deceleration pattern of placental migration were significantly associated with an interventional CD and a higher rate of peripartum complications.

Key Words: mode of delivery • placenta previa • rate of migration • sonography

Abbreviations: CD, cesarean delivery

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				K.-i. Shukunami, K. Nishijima, I. Uchinami, K. Tajima, Y. Yoshida, F. Kotsuji, and M. Predanic Placenta Previa "Migration" in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy * Reply J. Ultrasound Med., November 1, 2005; 24(11): 1560 - 1560. [Full Text] [PDF]