A systematic review and meta-analysis published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology evaluated the association between lateral placenta and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, including preeclampsia, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and preterm birth. Study details The meta-analysis included 21 studies involving 162,727 singleton pregnancies. Key findings Lateral placenta was associated with increased odds of preeclampsia (OR, 1.65), SGA (OR, 1.40), preterm birth before 34 weeks (OR, 2.10), preterm birth before 37 weeks (OR, 1.50), retained placenta (OR, 2.52), and non-vertex fetal presentation at birth (OR, 1.50).

An independent association between lateral placenta and preeclampsia was reported in two individual studies, with adjusted ORs (aORs) of 2.04 and 1.32, respectively. Pooled adjusted analysis revealed increased odds of SGA (aOR, 1.84) and retained…