What are the causes and symptoms of placental abruption?
The cause of placental abruption is unknown. However, a number of risk factors have been identified. These factors include: • older age of the mother • history of placental abruption during a previous pregnancy • high blood pressure • certain disease states (diabetes, collagen vascular diseases) • the presence of a type of uterine tumor called a leiomyoma • twins, triplets, or other multiple pregnancies • cigarette smoking • heavy alcohol use • cocaine use • malformations of the uterus • Malformations of the placenta • injury to the abdomen (as might occur in a car accident) Symptoms of placental abruption include bleeding from the vagina, severe pain in the abdomen or back, and tenderness of the uterus. Depending on the severity of the bleeding, the mother may experience a drop in blood pressure, followed by symptoms of organ failure as her organs are deprived of oxygen. Sometimes, there is no visible vaginal bleeding. Instead, the bleeding is said to be “concealed.” In this case, the
