Work

Evaluation of Maternal Serum Erythropoietin Levels and Their Relationship with Surgical Bleeding in Placenta Previa and Placenta Accreta Spectrum Cases

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background The aim of this study was to examine maternal serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels, known to be associated with tissue hypoxia and angiogenesis, in pregnant women diagnosed with placenta previa and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), and to evaluate the role of this biomarker in predicting the amount of surgical bleeding during cesarean section. Method This prospective case-control study included 100 pregnant women who underwent cesarean delivery at a tertiary center between 2022 and 2024. Participants were divided into three groups: placenta previa ( n = 35), PAS ( n = 14), and a control group ( n = 51) scheduled for uncomplicated elective cesarean delivery. Preoperative serum EPO levels were measured in all cases. Intraoperative blood loss was assessed using the number of sponges/compresses used, suction canister volume, and transfusion requirements. Results Mean preoperative serum EPO levels were 32.6 ± 27.2 U/L in the placenta previa group, 31.6 ± 35.4 U/L in the PAS group, and 22.8 ± 18.4 U/L in the control group. EPO levels were significantly higher in the placenta previa group than in the control group ( p < 0.05). As expected, bleeding-related parameters (suction canister volume and sponge count) were significantly higher in the placenta previa and PAS groups than in the control group ( p < 0.001). However, correlation analyses revealed no statistically significant association between preoperative EPO levels and bleeding-related markers ( p > 0.05). Conclusion EPO may be used as a complementary biological marker that reflects the severity of underlying tissue hypoxia and hypervascularization in the pathological placenta.

Source: Bratislavské lekárske listy/Bratislava medical journal

DOI: 10.1007/s44411-026-00812-x

Authors: Gokce Omeroglu Kayikci, Gulseren Dinc, Huseyin Yaman, Sumeyye Sura Ayan, Suleyman Guven

Institution: Karadeniz Technical University

Language: English

Topic: Maternal and fetal healthcare

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,590