PERINATAL MORTALITY AND LATE SEQUELAE IN CHILDREN BORN AFTER ABRUPTIO PLACENTAE

Of 40 children born after abruptio placentae in the third trimester of pregnancy, 18 were stillbirths, 4 died within two days of preterm birth and 18 reached school age. All children alive at the age of 5-9 yr underwent neurological examination: 3 were abnormal (severe motor retardation, spastic hemiplegia) and 8 suspect. The 3 abnormal children had been severely premature at birth, whereas all 5 born at term were normal. The findings suggest that prematurity plays a major role in both neonatal mortality and in cerebral damage after abruptio placentae. © 1979.