The effects of threatened abortions on pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: The effects of first trimester threatened abortions on prenatal and postnatal pregnancy outcomes.

Material and methods: Data from 24.835 pregnant women were retrospectively analysed. The pregnant women were divided into two groups according to whether they had a first trimester threatened abortion or not. The demographic data and prenatal, postnatal and labour outcomes were compared for the two groups. Those cases with miscarriages during their follow-up, pregnant women with systemic diseases, multiple pregnancies and patients who were diagnosed with cervical erosion and cervical polypoid formation during vaginal bleeding examinations were all excluded.

Results: The age (p < 0.001), ART pregnancy rate (p = 0.03) and nulliparity rate (p = 0.013) in those with the risk of miscar- riage were statistically significantly higher than those without the risk. The gestational weeks (p < 0.001) and birth weights (p < 0.001) were significantly lower for the miscarriage group than in the control group. Hyperemesis gravidarum (p < 0.001), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (p < 0.001) and placenta previa (p = 0.018) rates were statistically significantly and more frequent in the pregnancies with the threatened abortion group than in the control group. The rates of caesarean delivery were statistically significantly higher in the threatened abortion group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Threatened abortion between 6- and 14-weeks gestational age is a complication that may cause anxiety in the early weeks of pregnancy. But the treatment, follow-up and cause of threatened abortion all remain unclear.

Keywords: abortion; first trimester; pregnancy outcomes; treatment.