Children born to mothers who experienced placental abruption during pregnancy face substantially higher risks of developing cardiovascular disease and dying from heart-related conditions 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 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 nearly 3 million births in New Jersey from 1993 to 2020, with 28,641 pregnancies (approximately 1%) affected by placental abruption. During a 28-year follow-up period, children born after placental abruption faced multiple increased cardiovascular risks. Beyond the elevated mortality risk, these individuals showed a 2.4 times higher risk of stroke hospitalization compared to those without this birth complication. The risks were particularly pronounced among children younger than one year old.
Notably, the association between placental abruption and increased cardiovascular risk persisted even when researchers conducted additional analysis comparing biological siblings, suggesting that genetic and environmental factors alone do not explain this relationship. "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 findings have significant implications for clinical practice and public health. "Most treatments after a placental abruption focus on following the mother after a pregnancy complication. Our study shows it is important that their children are also monitored to identify potential complications due to their increased risk of cardiovascular disease," Ananth explained. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between cardio-obstetrics and pediatric programs in medical institutions to provide comprehensive care.
Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, reinforced this perspective. "We know that women who have complications during pregnancy are often at higher risk for heart disease and stroke, and that's why the American Heart Association recommends closely monitoring these women," said Rosen, who was not involved in the study. "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."
The study represents one of the first investigations linking placental abruption to long-term cardiovascular risk in offspring, though researchers caution that the observational nature of the analysis means they cannot prove cause and effect. More research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms connecting placental abruption to later cardiovascular outcomes. Health professionals recommend maintaining healthy lifestyle factors that may reduce placental abruption risk, including avoiding smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs, particularly cocaine, and maintaining good blood pressure control.
