Risk factors Risk factors for placental abruption include the following: Older maternal age Hypertension (pregnancy-related or chronic) Placental ischemia (ischemic placental disease) manifesting as intrauterine growth restriction Intraamniotic infection (chorioamnionitis) Vasculitis Other vascular disorders Prior placental abruption Abdominal trauma Acquired maternal thrombotic disorders Tobacco use Premature rupture of membranes, particularly in women who have polyhydramnios Cocaineuse (risk of up to 10%) Complications Complications of placental abruption include the following: Maternal blood loss that may result in hemodynamic instability, with or without shock, and / or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) Fetal compromise (eg, fetal distress, death) or, if placental abruption is chronic, growth restriction or oligohydramnios Sometimes fetomaternal transfusion and alloimmunization (eg, due to Rh sensitization).