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Racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of placenta previa

Journal of Perinatology volume 32, pages 260–264 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of placenta previa among different racial and ethnic groups.

Study Design:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the prevalence of placenta previa among five major racial and ethnic groups: African American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic and Native American. We included all deliveries ⩾20 weeks gestation from a large northern Californian Health Maintenance Organization from 1995–2006. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to control for potential confounders.

Result:

Of the 394 083 deliveries in our cohort, 1580 (0.40%) were complicated by placenta previa. The prevalence of placenta previa was: Asian 0.64%, Native American 0.60%, African American 0.44%, Caucasian 0.36%, Hispanic 0.34% and unknown 0.31% (P<0.001). In our multivariable logistic regression model, only Asians (odds ratio (OR) 1.73, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.53–1.95) and African Americans (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.19–1.72) were at increased risk for having placenta previa, compared with Caucasians.

Conclusion:

Asian women have the highest prevalence of placenta previa.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Kaiser Foundation Research Institute Community Benefits Grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive, Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    L H Kim

  2. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    A B Caughey

  3. The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA, USA

    J C Laguardia & G J Escobar

Authors
  1. L H Kim
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  2. A B Caughey
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  3. J C Laguardia
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  4. G J Escobar
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Correspondence to L H Kim.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Perinatology website

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Kim, L., Caughey, A., Laguardia, J. et al. Racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of placenta previa. J Perinatol 32, 260–264 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.86

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