A Rutgers Health study found that people born to mothers who experienced placental abruption during pregnancy had a 4.6 times higher risk of developing early cardiovascular disease or dying from cardiovascular disease by age 28.
The findings were compared to people born without this complication, according to a study by senior author Cande Ananth of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. American Heart Association Journala peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus before birth rather than after birth. According to the American Heart Association, Heart disease and stroke statistics in 2026this condition occurs in up to 1% of pregnancies in the general population.
Our study suggests that placental abruption should be taken as a very serious complication for the mother and may also affect the baby’s cardiovascular health in the future. Most recommended treatments after placental abruption focus on monitoring the mother after pregnancy complications. However, because of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, it is important to monitor children as well to identify potential complications. It is important for cardio-obstetricians to work with pediatric programs at medical schools and hospitals to provide support and monitor the health of mothers and babies as they grow. ”
Cande Ananth, senior study author and chair, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University
Researchers in the study reported that these children had a 2.4 times higher risk of stroke hospitalization, and children younger than 12 months had an even higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, women who were over 35 years of age or had a twin pregnancy were more vulnerable to these conditions.
“Placental abruption is a sudden and often devastating event that cannot be prevented and occurs without warning,” Ananth added. “Older women or women who are pregnant with multiple babies, such as twins or triplets, are at higher risk of developing this condition. Health care professionals should help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect their health and the health of their babies.”
The study authors said further research is needed to understand how placental abruption affects the heart health of children born in these pregnancies. This study is the first to discover a link between the two. However, this finding was based on an examination of hospital birth and death records, which showed a correlation, and further research is needed to establish cause and effect.
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Reference magazines:
Ananth, C. V., et al. (2026). Cardiovascular disease in singletons born to pregnancies complicated by placental abruption: a population-based retrospective cohort study. American Heart Association Journal. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.125.045199. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.125.045199.
