Threatened abortion and late-pregnancy complications: a case-control study and review of literature

Abstract

Aim: Aim of the study was to evaluate the late-pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of patients with threatened miscarriage in the first trimester.

Methods: An observational cohort study was performed on 81 pregnant women. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1) no bleeding; 2) threatened miscarriage. Patients were followed up until delivery and each materno-fetal complication was registered.

Results: Threatened miscarriage was associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, placenta previa, pregnancy induced hypertension/preeclampsia (PE), low birth weight (LBW) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. There were no significantly differences between the 2 groups with regard to preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM), CESAREAN section, retained placenta, perinatal death and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). About immediate neonatal outcomes, mean birth weights were lower (≈ 200 g) in the study group (group 2), while no significant difference in the APGAR score between the two groups was noted.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that threatened miscarriage in the first trimester is correlated with an increased incidence of late-pregnancy and perinatal complications and, therefore, these pregnancies should be considered as high risk ones.