Evaluation of the Incidence Rate of Placenta Previa and its Association with Low Birth Weight and Preterm Delivery, in Patients Referred to Rasht al-Zahra Hospital during 2001-2006

Introduction & Placenta previa is one of the main causes of vaginal bleeding at the late phase of pregnancy. Many studies report that Placenta previa causes low weight at the birth (LBW) and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). Therefore، it increases neonatal mortality rate. This study was performed to estimate the relative frequency of placenta previa and its association with LBW and preterm delivery at Rasht al-Zahra hospital during 5 years. This is a descriptive study and was conducted at this hospital by using of patients files of those who had delivery in hospital from 2001-2006. Placenta previa was diagnosed before delivery. The collected data included neonatal weight، maternal age، gestational age، parity، history of previous cesarean and abortion، IUGR and preterm delivery. Of the total 32866 delivery، 79 cases of Placenta previa were observed، of which 29. 1% had LBW. 79. 1% of mothers were between 20 - 34 years old. 45% had parity one، 12. 7% had a previous cesarean and 22. 8% had abortion. The relative frequency of preterm delivery was 40. 5 % and 8. 9% had IUGR. The most frequent case of Placenta previa was found in 30-34 years old group. In this study، the relative frequency of LBW and preterm delivery in placenta previa were more than other studies.