Vasa previa: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Dec;221(6):644.e1-644.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.06.006. Epub 2019 Jun 13.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with antenatal diagnosis of vasa previa and evaluate the predictive factors of resolution in a contemporary large, multicenter data set.

Study design: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of all antenatally diagnosed cases of vasa previa, identified via ultrasound and electronic medical record, between January 2011 and July 2018 in 5 US centers. Records were abstracted to obtain variables at diagnosis, throughout pregnancy, and outcomes, including maternal and neonatal variables. Data were reported as median [range] or n (percentage). Descriptive statistics, receiver-operating characteristics, and logistic regression analysis were used as appropriate.

Results: One hundred thirty-six cases of vasa previa were identified in 5 centers during the study period, 19 (14%) of which resolved spontaneously at median estimated gestational age of 27 weeks [19-34]. All subjects with unresolved vasa previa underwent cesarean delivery at a median estimated gestational age of 34 weeks [27-39] with the median estimated blood loss of 800 mL [250-2000]. Rates for vaginal bleeding, preterm labor, premature rupture of membrane, and need for blood product transfusion were not different between the resolved and unresolved group (P = NS). The odds ratio for resolution in those with the estimated gestational age of less than 24 weeks at the time of diagnosis was 7.9 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-29.4) after adjustment for confounding variables.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that outcomes in antenatally diagnosed cases of vasa previa are excellent. Furthermore, our data report a higher chance of resolution when the condition is diagnosed before 24 weeks of gestation.

Keywords: contemporary multicenter study; estimated gestational age at diagnosis; fetal mortality; maternal morbidity; resolution; vasa previa.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Component Transfusion / statistics & numerical data*
  • Blood Loss, Surgical
  • Cesarean Section / methods*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / epidemiology*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • ROC Curve
  • Remission, Spontaneous*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / epidemiology*
  • Vasa Previa / diagnostic imaging
  • Vasa Previa / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult