RELATIONSHIP OF CAESAREAN DELIVERIES TO RISK OF PLACENTA PREVIA

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of caesarean section on frequency of placenta previa.
Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study. 
Place and Duration of Study: Military Hospital Rawalpindi, From September 2012 to September 2014.
Material and Methods: Two Hundred females, hundred with previous cesarean deliveries and hundred 
controls, with previous vaginal deliveries, were included in the study. Frequency of placenta previa in both 
the groups was recorded and analyzed on SPSS version 10. Analysis was performed for frequencies, means 
and standard deviations. It was compared for significance by Chi square test, and p value less than 0.05 was 
considered significant.
Results: Placenta previa was found in 4 (4%) case, and 2 (2%) controls. It was not found in para 4 or less in 
both groups, while 2 cases and 1 control with parity 4 or more had previa (p<0.05). Females with previous one 
scar had no previa, while with previous 2 scars, one had previa (p<0.05). One female with previa in case 
group and both females with previa in control group were more than 25 years old. Previa was not found in 
females below 25 years of age. Morbidity adherent placenta was found in 10 cases, all had previous 02 or 03 
cesarean sections.
Conclusion: Previous one cesarean did not increase the frequency of placenta previa. However, increasing 
number of scars, increasing maternal age beyond 26 years and increasing parity beyond 4 were associated 
with placenta previa.