Placenta previa as a risk factor for antenatal- and peripartum periventricular leukomalacia resulting in cerebral palsy in Japan: a retrospective study

TL;DR

The study suggests that placenta previa may increase the risk of cerebral palsy in Japan through periventricular leukomalacia.

Contribution

Identifies placenta previa as a potential risk factor for periventricular leukomalacia-related cerebral palsy in Japan.

Findings

Placenta previa may be a risk factor for antenatal and peripartum periventricular leukomalacia.

Cases of cerebral palsy linked to periventricular leukomalacia were reviewed from JOCSC reports.

Fetal heart rate abnormalities were not always present in cases of periventricular leukomalacia.

Abstract

Intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring abnormalities had been reported to correlate with decreased umbilical artery base excess associated with neonatal seizures. After encountering a child born at 35 weeks of gestation diagnosed with cerebral palsy associated with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) without fetal heart rate monitoring abnormalities, a review and analysis of summary reports of PVL cases published on the home page of the Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy (JOCSC). Based on the case and the review of the reports of PVL cases from JOCSC, placenta previa may be a risk factor for antenatal- and peripartum PVL resulted in cerebral palsy in Japan.