Abstract
A premature separation of the placenta results in torn decidual vessels creating a haemorrhage below the placenta and an infarction of the overlying villi. An incomplete separation often results in a haematoma that creates a depression on the maternal surface. The fetus is at risk of asphyxia and death from the sudden, large extent of infarcted placenta. The pathological examination of the placenta can determine (1) the relative extent of the placental separation and (2) an approximation of the duration prior to delivery. The most frequent risk factors are preeclampsia, hypertension, thrombophilia, cocaine and cigarette smoking. Some infrequent mechanisms of premature separation of the placenta are hypocoagulative states, severe pelvic trauma and vena caval compression.
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Bendon, R.W. (2019). Retroplacental Haemorrhage and Marginal Haemorrhage. In: Khong, T., Mooney, E., Nikkels, P., Morgan, T., Gordijn, S. (eds) Pathology of the Placenta. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97214-5_9
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