The association between of placenta previa and congenital abnormalities: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Congenital abnormalities, as one of the fetal complications of placenta previa, may cause health problems or disability of the child throughout life. This study aimed to determine the relationship between placenta previa and congenital abnormalities. METHODS: Potential articles were retrieved from three electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Sciences) up to 21 May 2023 without limit of time and language. A random effect model was applied for meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was calculated based on I(2) statistic and Cochrane Q-test. All analyses were conducted at the significance level of 0.05 using STATA software, version 14. The quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the improved Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: In the initial search, 829 articles were retrieved. Finally, according to the inclusion criteria, eight studies were analyzed in the meta-analysis. A significant association was reported between placenta previa and risk of congenital abnormalities based on crude form (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.34 to 2.28) and adjusted studies (OR = 6.38, 95% CI = 1.47 to 11.30). The high heterogeneity was observed among the studies reported based on adjusted and crude form, respectively (I(2) = 97.9%, P = 0.000) (I(2) = 80.6%, P = 0.000). Therefore, publication bias was not observed among studies. Seven studies of the included studies were of high quality. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that there is a positive and significant association between placenta previa and congenital malformations, including all structural anomalies, chromosomal defects, and congenital hypothyroidisms. Therefore, monitoring congenital abnormalities in the fetus of a mother with placenta previa is necessary. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-023-04433-z.