Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Specialists Highlight Risks of a Serious Pregnancy Complication

Placenta accreta spectrum refers to a group of pregnancy conditions in which the placenta attaches abnormally deeply to the wall of the uterus. In a typical pregnancy, the placenta separates from the uterine wall after the baby is delivered. With placenta accreta spectrum, this separation may be difficult or impossible because placental tissue has attached too deeply.

The condition can cause severe bleeding during childbirth and may require complex surgical management. The risk is higher among women with certain uterine scars, particularly those who have undergone previous caesarean deliveries, especially when placenta previa is also present.

Early identification is important because it allows the maternity team to plan delivery at a suitably equipped hospital. Care may involve obstetricians, anaesthetists, blood-bank specialists, surgeons and neonatal teams.

The University of Colorado Anschutz update explains the condition, its risk factors and treatment considerations. It is an educational clinical update, not a new clinical trial or evidence that the incidence of the condition has suddenly increased.