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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
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Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
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AIUM Credit
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Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 4

Category: Clinical Obstetrics

Poster Session 4

(1053) Survey of Vasa Previa Practice Patterns in the United States

Thursday, February 12, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
Objective:
While SMFM suggests utilizing a cut off of 2cm to define vasa previa, a recent expert opinion suggested expanding vasa previa to include any fetal vessels within 5cm of the internal cervical os. Our objective was to explore maternal fetal medicine (MFM) clinician opinions and practices in light of this lack of consensus.

Study Design:
We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide survey of maternal fetal medicine clinicians (attendings and fellows) between June 2024 to June 2025. We distributed this survey via email listservs and the SMFM website, and used descriptive statistics for analysis.

Results:
182 clinicians responded to the survey. 63% of respondents were MFM fellows. Most respondents practiced in academic (76%) and urban (79%) settings. All US regions were equally represented. Over half of clinicians had a vasa previa volume of 1-2 cases per month. Most respondents (66%) define vasa previa as fetal vessels within 2cm from the cervical os, but approximately one quarter define vasa previa as vessels within 5cm (Figure 1). Management practices regarding hospital admission, antenatal surveillance, administration of betamethasone, and timing and route of delivery varied significantly (Table 1). When asked about a hypothetical case of fetal vessels overlying the cervical os in a patient with no risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth, most respondents recommend outpatient monitoring, ultrasounds every 4 weeks to monitor for vasa previa resolution, pelvic rest, and cesarean delivery at 35-36 weeks. When asked about a hypothetical case with fetal vessels 2-5cm from the cervical os in a patient with no risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth, most recommend outpatient monitoring, ultrasounds every 4 weeks to monitor fetal vessels and no activity restriction. For this scenario, half of respondents recommend cesarean delivery at 36-37 weeks, while the other half recommend vaginal delivery and timing of delivery based on other obstetric indications.

Conclusion:
There is a lack of consensus regarding definition and management of vasa previa among MFM clinicians in the United States.