Abstract

PIP: 53 of 3100 abortions at Bombay hospital were septic abortions, giving an incidence of 1.7%. Various factors of possible etiological significance were analyzed, including age, parity, marital status, duration of gestation, and the mode of interference leading to sepsis. 36 of 53 patients were aged 20-30 years, but other age groups were represented. In the present study, gravidity was not relevant, for all gravidity groups, from primipara to grand multipara 5 and above, had patients suffering septic abortions. 9 patients were married and gave a history of interference; in all, 38 patients were married, 22 were unmarried, and 4 were widows. 23 patients gave a definite mode of interference, and the most common method was interference with a stick. 43% mortality occurred in patients giving a history of interference, and 36% mortality occurred in others. Vaginal and cervical cultures revealed (16 cases studied) 5 cases of CL. tetani, 1 case of E. coli, and 10 patients showing strepto-, staphylo-, pneumococcal infections. In this series, 21 of 53 patients died: 8 of tetanus, 3 or renal failure, 4 of septicemia, 2 of hemorrhagic diathesis, and 3 of endotoxic shock. 1 patient had acute bacterial endocarditis and pulmonary embolism at sutopsy. It is this article's contention that the main cause of sepsis is using an instrument to induce abortion during an unwanted pregnancy; hence, a plea is made for more liberalized abortion legislation.