Risk factors for non-adherent retained placenta after vaginal delivery: a systematic review

Background Retained placenta represents a cause of maternal morbidity and mortality affecting 0.5-3% of all vaginal deliveries. The unpredictability of this condition makes difficult to develop predictive and preventive strategies to apply in clinical practice. This analysis collected and analyzed all known risk factors related to this obstetric complication. Methods A systematic literature review for all original research articles published between 1990 and 2020 was performed. Observational studies about retained placenta risk factors published in English language were considered eligible. Conference abstracts, untraceable articles and studies focused on morbidly adherent placenta were excluded. The included articles were screened to identify study design, number of enrolled patients and retained placenta risk factors investigated. All stages of the revision followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Results Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. The reported retained placenta prevalence ranged from 0.5 to 4.8%. Maternal age, previous cesarean sections, previous dilation and curettage, previous retained placenta, labor induction, resulted as the most recurrent, independent risk factors for retained placenta. Previous estro-progestins therapy, morphological placental features (weight, shape, insertion of umbilical cord, implantation site), endometriosis, Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Apgar score are fascinating new proposal risk factors. Conclusions Old and new data are not enough robust to draw firm conclusions. Prospective and well-designed studies, based on a well agreed internationally retained placenta definition, are needed in order to clarify this potential dramatic and life-threatening condition.

Automated summary

This systematic review of studies between 1990 and 2020 on risk factors for retained placenta revealed that maternal age, previous cesarean sections, previous dilation and curettage, and previous retained placenta are the main independent risk factors for this condition. Additional risk factors such as previous estro-progestins therapy and morphological placental features were also identified. More prospective studies are needed to provide clearer insights into this potentially life-threatening complication.