Risk factors of placenta previa with maternal and neonatal outcome at Dongola/Sudan

BACKGROUND: Placenta previa is a major cause of hemorrhage affecting 0.4–0.5% of all pregnancy's early detection of cases and senior input will significantly reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to determine risk factors, fetal and maternal outcome in pregnancy complicated by placenta previa. METHOD: This is descriptive cross-sectional study in women diagnosed with placenta previa at Dongola maternity hospital, Sudan from December 2018 to June 2019. RESULTS: There were 3,674 deliveries and 52 cases of placenta previa during the study period with prevalence of 1.4%. The average age of the patients was 34.8 years and most of them were above 35 years (53.8%), and (63.5%) were para 3 and more. Other identified risk factors included previous cesarean section (69.1%), previous uterine evacuation (13.5%), and assisted reproductive technique (5.8%). Maternal complications were hemorrhage needing blood transfusion (40.4%), cesarean hysterectomy (21.2%), and bladder injury (3.8%), but (34.6%) were with good outcome and no maternal death. NICU admission with RDS (25%), prematurity (25%), and death (5.8%) were the fetal complications, while in (44.2%) fetal outcome was good. CONCLUSION: The most identifiable risk factors for placenta previa were previous uterine scars, advanced maternal age, and multiparity. And it is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.