Abortion Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(3):105-111
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000300002
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion reported by a sample of Brazilian women interviewed in the National Demographic Health Survey of 1996. METHODS: this was a secondary analysis of the Brazilian DHS-96 database, with information from interviews with a representative sample of 12,612 women about their reproductive life, focusing on the prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion in the last five years and the associated factors for the various regions of the country and for Brazil as a whole. The sampling method was implemented with a strategy selection in two stages, one for the households and the other for women. The prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion was estimated for Brazil and regions, and the socio-demographic characteristics of the women were analyzed as a function of the abortion's experience. A multinomial regression model analysis was used for the identification of factors independently associated with both types of abortion; their OR and respective 95% CI are reported. RESULTS: the prevalence of reported spontaneous abortion was 14% and the prevalence of induced abortion was 2.4% for the country as a whole. The state with the highest prevalence of induced abortion was Rio de Janeiro with 6.5%, followed by the Northeast region with 3.1%. The places with the lowest prevalence were the state of São Paulo and the South region. Both spontaneous and induced abortion showed higher prevalences with increasing age of the women studied. Being from the urban area (OR=1.5; 95%CI=1.0-2.3), having had more than one live child (OR=2.2; 95%CI=1.5-3.2) and being non-white (OR=1.4; 95%CI=1.0-1.8) were the main risk factors for induced abortion. CONCLUSIONS: the non-modifiable risk factors for induced abortion identified in this study indicate the need for improvement of educational and contraceptive actions, with priority for these specific demographic groups.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(3):105-111
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000300002
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion reported by a sample of Brazilian women interviewed in the National Demographic Health Survey of 1996. METHODS: this was a secondary analysis of the Brazilian DHS-96 database, with information from interviews with a representative sample of 12,612 women about their reproductive life, focusing on the prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion in the last five years and the associated factors for the various regions of the country and for Brazil as a whole. The sampling method was implemented with a strategy selection in two stages, one for the households and the other for women. The prevalence of spontaneous and induced abortion was estimated for Brazil and regions, and the socio-demographic characteristics of the women were analyzed as a function of the abortion's experience. A multinomial regression model analysis was used for the identification of factors independently associated with both types of abortion; their OR and respective 95% CI are reported. RESULTS: the prevalence of reported spontaneous abortion was 14% and the prevalence of induced abortion was 2.4% for the country as a whole. The state with the highest prevalence of induced abortion was Rio de Janeiro with 6.5%, followed by the Northeast region with 3.1%. The places with the lowest prevalence were the state of São Paulo and the South region. Both spontaneous and induced abortion showed higher prevalences with increasing age of the women studied. Being from the urban area (OR=1.5; 95%CI=1.0-2.3), having had more than one live child (OR=2.2; 95%CI=1.5-3.2) and being non-white (OR=1.4; 95%CI=1.0-1.8) were the main risk factors for induced abortion. CONCLUSIONS: the non-modifiable risk factors for induced abortion identified in this study indicate the need for improvement of educational and contraceptive actions, with priority for these specific demographic groups.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(2):91-95
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000200006
Predicting pregnancy outcome from one or more maternal serum factors has been the subject of numerous investigations with controversial results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of CA-125, CA-19.9, CA-15.3, beta-hCG, estradiol, progesterone, alpha-fetoprotein and CEA in women with abortion (n=18) and with pregnancy complicated by bleeding (n=6), in comparison to the serum levels of the control group (n=7). The results showed that the serum levels of CA-125 were significantly increased in the abortion group (153.9 ± 43.3 IU/ml), but no difference was detected in pregnancy complicated by bleeding (17.4 ± 2.6 IU/ml), as compared to control (24.7 ± 13.4 IU/ml). However, high serum levels of CA-19.9 were found in the group with pregnancy complicated by bleeding in comparison with the abortion group (20.2 ± 11.4 IU/ml versus 6.6 ± 1.4 IU/ml, respectively). In relation to hormone serum levels, both, the abortion (17.38 ± 9.4 ng/ml) and bleeding (18.3 ± 8.9 ng/ml) groups showed lower serum levels of progesterone, as compared to control (60.4 ± 26.8 ng/ml). Besides, women with abortion had additional low estradiol serum levels, when compared to controls (1,327 ± 1,015 ng/ml versus 10,774 ± 9,244 ng/ml). It was concluded that the serum levels of progesterone, CA-19.9 and beta-hCG seem to add valuable information to the evaluation of a pregnancy complicated by bleeding.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(2):91-95
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000200006
Predicting pregnancy outcome from one or more maternal serum factors has been the subject of numerous investigations with controversial results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of CA-125, CA-19.9, CA-15.3, beta-hCG, estradiol, progesterone, alpha-fetoprotein and CEA in women with abortion (n=18) and with pregnancy complicated by bleeding (n=6), in comparison to the serum levels of the control group (n=7). The results showed that the serum levels of CA-125 were significantly increased in the abortion group (153.9 ± 43.3 IU/ml), but no difference was detected in pregnancy complicated by bleeding (17.4 ± 2.6 IU/ml), as compared to control (24.7 ± 13.4 IU/ml). However, high serum levels of CA-19.9 were found in the group with pregnancy complicated by bleeding in comparison with the abortion group (20.2 ± 11.4 IU/ml versus 6.6 ± 1.4 IU/ml, respectively). In relation to hormone serum levels, both, the abortion (17.38 ± 9.4 ng/ml) and bleeding (18.3 ± 8.9 ng/ml) groups showed lower serum levels of progesterone, as compared to control (60.4 ± 26.8 ng/ml). Besides, women with abortion had additional low estradiol serum levels, when compared to controls (1,327 ± 1,015 ng/ml versus 10,774 ± 9,244 ng/ml). It was concluded that the serum levels of progesterone, CA-19.9 and beta-hCG seem to add valuable information to the evaluation of a pregnancy complicated by bleeding.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(4):181-185
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000400002
With the purpose of identifying the social, demographic, pregnancy-related and medical care factors associated with maternal death, this study evaluated all deaths of women aged 10 to 49 years occurring in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, during 1992 and 1993. The data were obtained reviewing 1,013 death certificates, with 42 cases of identified maternal deaths. The data of these deaths were complemented with information from medical records, autopsies and also interviews with physicians from the hospitals where the death took place, and with the dead women's relatives. Almost two thirds (62%) of maternal deaths occurred among women aged 20 to 29 years and more than half of them were single. There was a higher number of deaths among caesarean deliveries than among vaginal ones. The majority of deaths occurred within the first three days of hospitalization and approximately 90% of hospital charges were sponsored by the National Health System (SUS).
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(4):181-185
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000400002
With the purpose of identifying the social, demographic, pregnancy-related and medical care factors associated with maternal death, this study evaluated all deaths of women aged 10 to 49 years occurring in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, during 1992 and 1993. The data were obtained reviewing 1,013 death certificates, with 42 cases of identified maternal deaths. The data of these deaths were complemented with information from medical records, autopsies and also interviews with physicians from the hospitals where the death took place, and with the dead women's relatives. Almost two thirds (62%) of maternal deaths occurred among women aged 20 to 29 years and more than half of them were single. There was a higher number of deaths among caesarean deliveries than among vaginal ones. The majority of deaths occurred within the first three days of hospitalization and approximately 90% of hospital charges were sponsored by the National Health System (SUS).
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(4):227-232
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000400008
Purpose: to identify and investigate the causes of maternal death that occurred in Campinas from 1992 to 1994. Methods: a total of 204 death certificates (DC) whose causes of death were maternal (declared and/or presumed) were selected among the 1032 DC's of 10 to 49 year-old women. A complementary investigation was performed consulting hospital records, Death Survey Units, and households. Results: a total of 20 maternal deaths were confirmed, corresponding to a maternal mortality ratio of 42.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. The direct obstetrical causes were responsible for 85% of the deaths (17 cases). Abortion complications were the main causes of death (7 cases), followed by hemorrhage (4 cases), preeclampsia (3 cases) and puerperal infection (3 cases). Conclusions: despite the apparent progress concerning the reduction in deaths due to hypertensive syndromes during pregnancy, that were the main causes in earlier periods, there was no improvement in the maternal mortality ratio for this studied period. Unfortunately, this lack of progress was due to abortion complications. A better coverage and efficiency of family planning programs, besides the need for implementation of a real epidemiological surveillance of maternal deaths, as well as a better social protection of the pregnant woman, the mother, and the newborns, could reduce their occurrence and specially those due to abortions.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(4):227-232
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000400008
Purpose: to identify and investigate the causes of maternal death that occurred in Campinas from 1992 to 1994. Methods: a total of 204 death certificates (DC) whose causes of death were maternal (declared and/or presumed) were selected among the 1032 DC's of 10 to 49 year-old women. A complementary investigation was performed consulting hospital records, Death Survey Units, and households. Results: a total of 20 maternal deaths were confirmed, corresponding to a maternal mortality ratio of 42.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. The direct obstetrical causes were responsible for 85% of the deaths (17 cases). Abortion complications were the main causes of death (7 cases), followed by hemorrhage (4 cases), preeclampsia (3 cases) and puerperal infection (3 cases). Conclusions: despite the apparent progress concerning the reduction in deaths due to hypertensive syndromes during pregnancy, that were the main causes in earlier periods, there was no improvement in the maternal mortality ratio for this studied period. Unfortunately, this lack of progress was due to abortion complications. A better coverage and efficiency of family planning programs, besides the need for implementation of a real epidemiological surveillance of maternal deaths, as well as a better social protection of the pregnant woman, the mother, and the newborns, could reduce their occurrence and specially those due to abortions.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(3):161-165
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000300007
Purpose: to evaluate the social, demographic and obstetrical profile of adolescents as compared with adult women hospitalized for abortion complications. Material and methods: this is a descriptive study that evaluated 230 women with abortion complications. Among them, 59 were adolescents hospitalized at the IMIP Maternity (Recife, Brazil) from August 1994 to July 1995. The variables studied were: educational level, marital status, any paid activity, gestation age, number of pregnancies, desire to become pregnant, use of anticonceptive method, kind of relationship, reason for voluntary interruption, clinical classification of abortion and associated complications. The procedure for data analysis was the distribution of variables among adolescents and adults, the differences being evaluated through chi² and chi² for trend. Results: compared with the adult women who aborted, the adolescents showed a lower number of paid activity and multiparity and a higher number of pregnancies resulting from an unstable relationship. Conclusions: the results indicated that biologicallly the adolescents who were hospitalized for abortion have a similar profile to adult women. What differentiates them are the unfavorable social and demographic conditions that they are faced with at their generally unplanned first pregnancies.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(3):161-165
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000300007
Purpose: to evaluate the social, demographic and obstetrical profile of adolescents as compared with adult women hospitalized for abortion complications. Material and methods: this is a descriptive study that evaluated 230 women with abortion complications. Among them, 59 were adolescents hospitalized at the IMIP Maternity (Recife, Brazil) from August 1994 to July 1995. The variables studied were: educational level, marital status, any paid activity, gestation age, number of pregnancies, desire to become pregnant, use of anticonceptive method, kind of relationship, reason for voluntary interruption, clinical classification of abortion and associated complications. The procedure for data analysis was the distribution of variables among adolescents and adults, the differences being evaluated through chi² and chi² for trend. Results: compared with the adult women who aborted, the adolescents showed a lower number of paid activity and multiparity and a higher number of pregnancies resulting from an unstable relationship. Conclusions: the results indicated that biologicallly the adolescents who were hospitalized for abortion have a similar profile to adult women. What differentiates them are the unfavorable social and demographic conditions that they are faced with at their generally unplanned first pregnancies.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2006;28(7):380-387
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000700002
PURPOSE: to evaluate all maternal deaths that occurred between 1927 and 2001, among 164,161 patients admitted to the Maternidade Therezinha de Jesus, the obstetrical service of the "Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora", Brazil. METHODS: a retrospective study of 144 maternal deaths that occurred in the maternity hospital in 75 years, with 131,048 live births in the same period of time, analyzing all patients's records regarding their clinical history and data from death certificates. Autopsies were not performed. Data obtained were age, parity, gestation length, complications, moment, and causes of death. The index of maternal mortality (IMM) period 100 thousand live births was utilized. For statistical analysis the chi2 test and the exponential smoothing technique were used (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: IMM decreased from 1544 in the period 1927-1941 to 314 (p<0.001) between 1942 and 1956 and from 1957 to 1971 it was reduced to 76.4 per 100 thousand live births (p<0.001). Nevertheless, since 1972 there was no further significant improvement (IMM=46 in the last 15 years, p=0.139). Maternal mortality was more frequent in the 15 to 39 years age group, in nulliparous patients with term pregnancies and mostly in the immediate postpartum period (53%). Direct obstetric causes occurred in 79.3% and indirect causes in 20.7% of the cases. Analyzing the evolution of the causes of death, it was found that in the first period of time the most frequent direct obstetric causes in descending order were puerperal infection, eclampsia and uterine rupture, while in the second period they were prepartum hemorrhage and eclampsia, and from 1977 to 2001 hemorrhage, abortion and preeclampsia. Analysis of the past 15 years showed the absence of maternal deaths by either preeclampsia or puerperal infection and the main causes were peripartum hemorrhage, abortion and indirect obstetrical causes. Relating maternal mortality to the type of delivery by the relative risk between cesarean section and vaginal delivery, it was found that when the indication of cesarean section is inevitable its risk is lower (relative risk = 0.6) than through vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: despite the reduction along the 75 years of study, maternal mortality of 46 per 100,000 live births is still very high, and there was no significant decrease since 1972. Many deaths are avoidable. Hemorrhage is at present the most frequent cause of maternal death, the decision to intervene should be fast, and a proper indication for a cesarean section is a safe option. Maternal mortality caused by abortion is increasing alarmingly and family planning is essential.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2006;28(7):380-387
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000700002
PURPOSE: to evaluate all maternal deaths that occurred between 1927 and 2001, among 164,161 patients admitted to the Maternidade Therezinha de Jesus, the obstetrical service of the "Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora", Brazil. METHODS: a retrospective study of 144 maternal deaths that occurred in the maternity hospital in 75 years, with 131,048 live births in the same period of time, analyzing all patients's records regarding their clinical history and data from death certificates. Autopsies were not performed. Data obtained were age, parity, gestation length, complications, moment, and causes of death. The index of maternal mortality (IMM) period 100 thousand live births was utilized. For statistical analysis the chi2 test and the exponential smoothing technique were used (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: IMM decreased from 1544 in the period 1927-1941 to 314 (p<0.001) between 1942 and 1956 and from 1957 to 1971 it was reduced to 76.4 per 100 thousand live births (p<0.001). Nevertheless, since 1972 there was no further significant improvement (IMM=46 in the last 15 years, p=0.139). Maternal mortality was more frequent in the 15 to 39 years age group, in nulliparous patients with term pregnancies and mostly in the immediate postpartum period (53%). Direct obstetric causes occurred in 79.3% and indirect causes in 20.7% of the cases. Analyzing the evolution of the causes of death, it was found that in the first period of time the most frequent direct obstetric causes in descending order were puerperal infection, eclampsia and uterine rupture, while in the second period they were prepartum hemorrhage and eclampsia, and from 1977 to 2001 hemorrhage, abortion and preeclampsia. Analysis of the past 15 years showed the absence of maternal deaths by either preeclampsia or puerperal infection and the main causes were peripartum hemorrhage, abortion and indirect obstetrical causes. Relating maternal mortality to the type of delivery by the relative risk between cesarean section and vaginal delivery, it was found that when the indication of cesarean section is inevitable its risk is lower (relative risk = 0.6) than through vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: despite the reduction along the 75 years of study, maternal mortality of 46 per 100,000 live births is still very high, and there was no significant decrease since 1972. Many deaths are avoidable. Hemorrhage is at present the most frequent cause of maternal death, the decision to intervene should be fast, and a proper indication for a cesarean section is a safe option. Maternal mortality caused by abortion is increasing alarmingly and family planning is essential.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):594-598
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000005
PURPOSE: to verify if there is any difference in the number of miscarriages and newborns with low weight in patients with scleroderma (SSc) when compared with women without the disease, between the two clinical variants of the disease and when the expression of SSc occurred before or after the gestation. METHODS: twenty-six patients were analyzed regarding the number of pregnancies, miscarriages, sex, and birth weight of the children, studying the clinical variant of the disease and the temporal relationship between diagnosis and gestation. The patients had not used either medications that could interfere in gestation or had any other disease that could do it. For control, twenty-six healthy women, without diseases that might alter the gestation, of the same ages and socioeconomic status were studied. For the statistical analysis study, tables of frequency, tables of contingency, and Fisher, chi2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used. Statistical significance was considered when p<0.05. RESULTS: among the patients with SSc, there were 96 gestations with 13.5% (n=13) of miscarriages. In the control group, there were 94 gestations with 9.6% (n=9) of miscarriages. There were no differences in the number of newborns with low weight between the two groups (cases, n=8 and controls, n=6, with p=0.54), nor in the number of miscarriages (p=0.46). However, the number of newborn babies with low weight was significantly higher among the cases with the diffuse disease (diffuse form, n=4 and limited, n=4, with p=0.04) and among patients that became pregnant after the diagnosis of SSc (37.5% in women known to be sick and 6.7% in women who became pregnant before getting ill, with p=0.03). The number of male newborns was higher in the women with SSc (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: the women with SSc showed a higher number of low-weight newborns in the group with diffuse disease and when pregnancy occurred after the clinical diagnosis of the disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):594-598
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000005
PURPOSE: to verify if there is any difference in the number of miscarriages and newborns with low weight in patients with scleroderma (SSc) when compared with women without the disease, between the two clinical variants of the disease and when the expression of SSc occurred before or after the gestation. METHODS: twenty-six patients were analyzed regarding the number of pregnancies, miscarriages, sex, and birth weight of the children, studying the clinical variant of the disease and the temporal relationship between diagnosis and gestation. The patients had not used either medications that could interfere in gestation or had any other disease that could do it. For control, twenty-six healthy women, without diseases that might alter the gestation, of the same ages and socioeconomic status were studied. For the statistical analysis study, tables of frequency, tables of contingency, and Fisher, chi2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used. Statistical significance was considered when p<0.05. RESULTS: among the patients with SSc, there were 96 gestations with 13.5% (n=13) of miscarriages. In the control group, there were 94 gestations with 9.6% (n=9) of miscarriages. There were no differences in the number of newborns with low weight between the two groups (cases, n=8 and controls, n=6, with p=0.54), nor in the number of miscarriages (p=0.46). However, the number of newborn babies with low weight was significantly higher among the cases with the diffuse disease (diffuse form, n=4 and limited, n=4, with p=0.04) and among patients that became pregnant after the diagnosis of SSc (37.5% in women known to be sick and 6.7% in women who became pregnant before getting ill, with p=0.03). The number of male newborns was higher in the women with SSc (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: the women with SSc showed a higher number of low-weight newborns in the group with diffuse disease and when pregnancy occurred after the clinical diagnosis of the disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):588-593
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration for the treatment of abortion. METHODS: a prospective, descriptive study, with group comparison was carried out between November 2000 and August 2001 on 80 women between 15 and 48 years old, admitted to a public hospital for abortion care. Manual vacuum aspiration consisted of extracting the uterine content by suction using a Karman syringe connected to plastic cannulas. Intrauterine adhesions were screened by hysteroscopy, performed 40-60 days after the aspiration. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact test, ANOVA and estimation of prevalence risk, when indicated. RESULTS: hysteroscopy identified intrauterine adhesions in 13 patients (prevalence = 16.3%), most of them of the mucosal type (9 of 13), minimal severity (11 of 13) and lateral location in the uterus (5 of 13). Adhesions were more frequent at a gestational age more than 8 weeks (24.4 vs 3.7%; prevalence risk of 6.6) as well as in missed abortion (41.7 vs 12.1% ; prevalence risk of 3.54). CONCLUSIONS: prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration was 16.3%. Missed abortion and advanced gestational age seem to be associated with the occurrence of adhesions.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):588-593
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration for the treatment of abortion. METHODS: a prospective, descriptive study, with group comparison was carried out between November 2000 and August 2001 on 80 women between 15 and 48 years old, admitted to a public hospital for abortion care. Manual vacuum aspiration consisted of extracting the uterine content by suction using a Karman syringe connected to plastic cannulas. Intrauterine adhesions were screened by hysteroscopy, performed 40-60 days after the aspiration. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact test, ANOVA and estimation of prevalence risk, when indicated. RESULTS: hysteroscopy identified intrauterine adhesions in 13 patients (prevalence = 16.3%), most of them of the mucosal type (9 of 13), minimal severity (11 of 13) and lateral location in the uterus (5 of 13). Adhesions were more frequent at a gestational age more than 8 weeks (24.4 vs 3.7%; prevalence risk of 6.6) as well as in missed abortion (41.7 vs 12.1% ; prevalence risk of 3.54). CONCLUSIONS: prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration was 16.3%. Missed abortion and advanced gestational age seem to be associated with the occurrence of adhesions.