Children born to mothers who experienced placental abruption during pregnancy face substantially increased risks of developing cardiovascular disease and dying from cardiovascular events by age 28, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study found these individuals were approximately 4.6 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and nearly three times more likely to be hospitalized for heart-related complications compared to those whose births did not involve this complication.
Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery rather than after birth, potentially causing severe hemorrhaging and other complications. According to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, this condition affects approximately 0.5% to 1% of pregnancies in the general population. "Our study suggests that placental abruption needs to be taken as a very serious complication for the mother and also potentially affecting the baby's cardiovascular health later in life," said study lead author Cande Ananth, Ph.D., M.P.H., of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
The research analyzed data from nearly 3 million pregnancies in New Jersey from 1993 to 2020, with 1% (28,641 pregnancies) involving placental abruption. During a 28-year follow-up period, children born after placental abruption faced multiple increased risks: 4.6 times higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease death, nearly three times higher risk of heart-related hospitalization, and 2.4 times higher risk of stroke hospitalization compared to children whose mothers did not experience this complication. These risks were even more pronounced among children younger than one year old.
An important finding emerged from an additional analysis comparing cardiovascular disease risks between biological siblings, where each mother served as her own control. This analysis revealed that genetic and environmental factors did not explain the relationship between placental abruption and increased cardiovascular risk in offspring. "Placental abruption is a sudden and often catastrophic event that cannot be prevented and comes with no warning," Ananth noted, adding that older women and those expecting multiples face increased risk.
The study's implications extend beyond immediate pregnancy concerns. "Most treatments after a placental abruption focus on following the mother after a pregnancy complication," Ananth explained. "Our study shows it is important that their children are also monitored to identify potential complications due to their increased risk of cardiovascular disease." This monitoring approach aligns with broader recommendations from the American Heart Association, which advocates for close observation of women who experience pregnancy complications. "The findings of this study reinforce that it is also important to monitor their babies for risks and identify opportunities to reduce the potential impact these complications may have on them not only right after birth, but throughout their lifetime," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association.
While the study establishes a strong association, researchers caution that the analysis of hospital and death records cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which placental abruption affects long-term cardiovascular health in offspring. The study authors emphasize the importance of preventive measures, noting that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking and alcohol, controlling blood pressure, and avoiding illicit drugs like cocaine can help reduce placental abruption risk. The full study details are available in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
