What is placenta accreta?
Placenta accreta, also known as placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), is a pregnancy complication that occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply into the wall of the uterus. Other risk factors include placenta previa, advanced maternal age, multiparity, and curettage. Placenta accreta puts the mother at risk of severe blood loss and other complications. The rates of maternal death, transfusion, prolonged hospital stay and hysterectomy are all increased for women with accreta. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is made up of three different levels of invasion: placenta accreta, placenta increta, and placenta percreta.
1 in 272 Births
The estimated incidence of placenta accreta spectrum pregnancies has increased since the 1980s, from 1 in 1250 births to 1 in 272 births. The rates of placenta accreta, increta and percreta have risen parallel to the overall cesarean rate in the United States.
Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) is associated with significant complications. It is imperative that women at risk of developing accreta receive prenatal care at facilities with expertise in diagnosing and treating the condition. See National Accreta Foundation’s Patient FAQ for more information on the latest literature and care recommendations for pregnancies complicated by placenta accreta spectrum.
While placenta accreta is not preventable as of now, National Accreta Foundation actively promotes efforts to decrease the amount of women at risk of developing accreta by increasing awareness of the condition, promoting appropriate use of cesareans, and improving quality of care for those who do develop PAS. National Accreta Foundation is also following multiple exciting research initiatives to understand why accreta occurs with hopes of detecting the condition early in pregnancy and potentially preventing it in the future.
Learn more at www.preventaccreta.org
ACCRETA PATIENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do accreta patients need to know about placenta accreta? National Accreta Foundation produced this patient facing FAQ based on the latest literature and evidence based care recommendations for women with placenta accreta.
National Accreta Foundation is an entirely volunteer staffed and donation funded 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to placenta accreta advocacy. If you find our content of value, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue this work.