Birth Patterns and Clinical Characteristics Associated With Placenta Previa: A Retrospective Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Center in Kosova

Background: Placenta previa (PP) is a serious obstetric condition associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity, particularly in settings with increasing cesarean delivery rates. Data describing birth patterns and clinical characteristics of PP from Southeast Europe remain limited. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included all deliveries at the University Clinical Center of Kosova (UCCK) between January 1 through December 31, 2023. Maternal age, pregnancy order, singleton or multiple delivery, delivery mode, as well as PP diagnosis and subtype were extracted from medical records. The data were summarized with descriptive statistics and are presented as counts and percentages. Results: A total of 7743 deliveries were recorded. Birth frequency declined progressively as gravidity increased, and singleton pregnancies predominated (96.97%). Mean maternal age increased with higher gravidity. PP was identified in 52 deliveries (0.67%). Central PP was the most frequent subtype (67.3%), and all PP cases were delivered by cesarean section. Advanced maternal age (≥30 years) was observed in 78.8% of PP cases, and 42.3% had a history of previous cesarean delivery. Conclusions: In this large single-center retrospective study, PP was uncommon but predominantly presented as central PP, which often required a cesarean delivery. Advanced maternal age and a history of prior cesarean delivery were frequently observed among affected women. These findings underscore the importance of careful prenatal monitoring and delivery planning in pregnancies exhibiting these risk factors.