Histological Evaluation of Products of Conception, Who Benefits from It?

Abstract

Background: Histopathological evaluation of the first trimester pregnancy loss has always been controversial. Although it is recommended, it is not a part of guidelines.Methods: Six hundred eighty-six samples in a referral infertility clinic were evaluated microscopically and categorized. Two hundred ninety-five cases were evaluated by genetic methods (Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification).Results: From 569 samples with chorionic villi, 361 cases had history of three or more abortions. 18.3% of this group showed chronic intervillous of unknown etiology (CIUE) and 8.3% revealed intervilli fibrin deposition, both pathologies with a high risk of recurrence. History of a live child was significantly higher in CIUE group. 29% of genetically evaluated cases had a chromosomal abnormality.Conclusion: Histological evaluation of recurrent pregnancy loss could illuminate the cause of abortion in relatively acceptable percentage of cases, especially in mothers with higher number of previous abortion, mothers with a history of live child and in referral centers.

Keywords: General genetics; placental pathology; recurrent pregnancy loss.