Effect of threatened abortion on fetal growth and premature rupture of membranes.

Abstract

Background: Threatened abortion is defined as bleeding without cervical dilatation before 20 weeks of gestation, and occurs in around 20% of recognized pregnancies. Aim of Work: To evaluate the effect of threatened abortion on fetal growth and premature rupture of membrane. Patients and methods: During a prospective case control study 200 selected pregnant women below 20 weeks gestation were assessed regarding presence of symptoms of threatened abortion. The diagnostic criteria for threatened abortion were based on documented fetal cardiac activity on ultrasound with history of vaginal bleeding in presence of a closed cervix and gestational age at 20 weeks or less. Results: Our investigations showed that women with threatened miscarriage had a significantly increased risk of preterm labor (less 37 weeks of gestation) compared with the control group (16% vs. 2%, p= 0.001). Women with threatened miscarriage had significantly small babies weighing less than 2500 gm compared with the control group, with a mean birth weight (2335.1 ± 644.9 vs. 3118.9 ± 211.7, p< 0.0001). There was a significant difference regarding admission of the neonates to NICU (28% in the case group vs. 7% in the control group, p=0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of PROM, between the two groups. Conclusion: The current study reports that patients with threatened abortion are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes as low birth weight, premature rupture of membrane.