OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to identify correlates of abruptio pla
centae and to develop a mathematic model for the prediction of abruptio pla
centae.
STUDY DESIGN: A total of 170,258 singleton birth records from 1991 to 1996
contained in the Schleswig-Holsiein perinatal database were analyzed. Fifty
-two recognized obstetric risk factors were subjected to univariate analysi
s. Correlates of abruptio placentae then underwent stepwise forward binary
logistic regression. A constant value B-0, coefficients B-1 through B-p, an
odds ratio, and a 95% confidence interval were calculated for individual c
orrelates.
RESULTS: Abruptio placentae occurred in 874 of 170,258 singleton gestations
(0.5%). Of the 52 risk factors 31 proved to be correlates of abruptio plac
entae, with 16 among primiparous women and 25 among multiparous women. Ten
correlates for primiparous, women and 13 for multiparous women emerged from
the linear regression, with 7 correlates being shared by both primiparous
and multiparous women.
CONCLUSION: The probability that abruptio placentae will occur (p) can be c
alculated according to the following expression: p = e(z)/(1 + e(z)), where
z = B-0 + B-1, ... B-p. For example, for a primiparous woman who smokes wi
th bleeding at >28 weeks' gestation and a male fetus in the breech position
, the following calculation would yield the chance of abruptio placentae:z
= -2.25 + 2.51 + 0.41 + 0.24 + 0.60 = 1.51; p = e(1.51)/(1 + e(1.51)) = 4.5
3/5.53 = 0.82, or 82%.