Iron deficiency anemia, cigarette smoking and risk of abruptio placentae

Aim: A higher frequency of abruptio placentae among anemic patients has been documented in some, but not all previously published studies. Altered feto‐placental angiogenesis during early pregnancy in anemic women may partially explain this increased risk. The present study assesses the iron deficiency anemia‐abruptio placentae association in pregnant women from the Pacific Northwest. Methods: A retrospective case‐control study of 145 abruptio placentae cases and 1710 control subjects was conducted. The diagnosis of abruptio placentae was based on routine clinical examination performed by attending physicians. Iron deficiency anemia was assessed in early pregnancy and defined as hemoglobin level