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Placenta Previa

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Management and Therapy of Late Pregnancy Complications

Abstract

Placenta previa (PP) is a severe complication of pregnancy where the placenta is abnormally placed and partially or totally covers internal os of the cervix. It is associated with potentially life-threatening conditions for the mother, such as antepartum and postpartum bleeding, invasive placentation, need for hysterectomy, blood transfusion, septicemia, and thrombophlebitis. Similarly, adverse fetal and neonatal outcome is observed, with a high risk of preterm birth and perinatal death. Transvaginal ultrasound is the gold standard to assess the relationship between lower placental edge and the internal cervical os. Caesarean section is the recommended mode of delivery for placenta previa. Attempt at vaginal delivery is appropriate for low-lying placenta, but the possibility of postpartum hemorrhage should be considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, “S. Maria alle Scotte”, viale Bracci, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Filiberto M. Severi MD, Caterina Bocchi, Silvia Vannuccini & Felice Petraglia

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  1. Filiberto M. Severi MD
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  2. Caterina Bocchi
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  3. Silvia Vannuccini
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  4. Felice Petraglia
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Correspondence to Filiberto M. Severi MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santa Maria Hospital, G.V.M. Care and Research, Bari, Italy

    Antonio Malvasi

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Experimental Endoscopic Surgery, Imaging, Technology and Minimally Invasive Therapy, Technology and Minimally Invasive Therapy, Vito Fazzi Hospital, Piazza Muratore, Lecce, Italy

    Andrea Tinelli

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, Santa Maria della Misericordia University, Hospiatal, Perugia, Italy

    Gian Carlo Di Renzo

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Severi, F.M., Bocchi, C., Vannuccini, S., Petraglia, F. (2017). Placenta Previa. In: Malvasi, A., Tinelli, A., Di Renzo, G. (eds) Management and Therapy of Late Pregnancy Complications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48732-8_12

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