Marginal umbilical cord insertions in a bipartite placenta responsible for placenta abruption: a case report

Abstract

Hemorrhage is one of the major causes of maternal death. Main causes of APH are placenta previa, placenta abruption and uterine rupture. Rare causes of placenta abruption include marginal and velamentous umbilical cord insertions. We hereby present a case of placenta abruption due to marginal umbilical cord insertions occurring on a bipartite placenta. A 40-year-old nulliparous African woman, 35 weeks pregnant consulted for dark red pervaginal bleeding, which occurred recently. Past history was unremarkable. Her pregnancy was well followed up. A recent ultrasound scan revealed a fundal inserted placenta. Physical examination revealed a fundal height of 37 cm, no uterine activity, normal fetal heart tones and a blood-stained vulva. Our diagnosis was a mild placenta abruption. An obstetrical ultrasound carried out revealed a normal pregnancy and a retroplacental blood clot of 11mm. A safe baby was born through an emergency cesarean section which revealed a normally inserted bipartite placenta with a 10% placenta detachment located on one placenta half and two cords inserted marginally. The postoperative period was uneventful and she was discharged five days after cesarean section. This case report shows that marginal cord insertion, which can lead to placenta abruption, can be also observed on a bipartite placenta.