Prevalence of sonographically detected fetal congenital malformations among cases of placenta accrete: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is well known cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Its incidence had been increased obviously during the last two decades. Almost all literature about placenta accreta is about maternal complications and paucity about fetal ones. Objectives were to assess the prevalence of fetal anomalies detected sonographically in cases placenta accreta diagnosed at the third trimester. Methods: Our study is a retrospective study that had carried on at one tertiary center (Habashy 4D scan center; Alexandria; Egypt). We collected cases that diagnosed as placenta accreta prenatally by ultrasound in the third trimester from January 2020 till December 2024. We had excluded twin, ICSI pregnancies and maternal age ≥37 years. After enrollment of these cases we had searched for the prevalence of major fetal anomalies recorded in their reports. Results: We included 133 PAS cases in our study. Maternal age window was: 24-36 years. Gestational age range at their third trimester scanning was: 28-36 weeks. 2 out of the 133 fetuses (1.995%) were had major fetal anomaly which were; transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and bladder exstrophy (BE). Conclusions: The prevalence of major fetal anomalies among cases of placenta accreta is 1.995% which is lower than that in non-accreta pregnancies. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm our observation.