[Statistical analysis of possible causes of repeated spontaneous abortions]

Abstract

The possible causes of early pregnancy failure in one thousand, three hundred and seventeen women (n = 1,317) with a history of repeated reproductive wastage were analysed and the results of treatment for each etiology were evaluated. Out of 1,200 hysterosalpingographies, 188 (15.7%) congenital uterine anomalies were detected and the degree of each uterine cavity deformity was evaluated by the X/M ratio. Metroplasty was performed on 71 women with no other causes of spontaneous abortion, and more than 84% of the post-operative pregnancy were successfully maintained. One hundred and four (n = 104, 5.5%) out of 949 couples with a high incidence of reproductive failure had either a chromosomal abnormality or normal variants in the wife and/or husband. Twelve cases (n = 12, 8.1%) had a positive analysis for anticardiolipin antibody among 148 women examined. Immunotherapy utilizing the husband's lymphocytes was indicated for four hundred and seventy three (n = 473) other couples with no other abnormalities likely to induce spontaneous abortions. This treatment brought approximately 80% of pregnancies to successful termination and 199 deliveries were recorded with this immunotherapy. The present study suggests that the causes of early pregnancy failure are complex, but that most of the causes of repetitive wastage are curable after exact diagnosis and appropriate treatment.