Genital infections in women undergoing therapeutic abortion

Abstract

We studied the prevalence of genital infections and the frequency of infectious complications in 170 women who requested an abortion in Antwerp, Belgium, where termination of pregnancy is still illegal. Chlamydia were isolated in 12% of these women, compared to a 0.6% isolation rate for N. gonorrhoeae. After the abortion 5.5% developed PID and 3% endometritis. There was a strong correlation between an infection with C. trachomatis before abortion and the appearance of infectious complications after the aspiration curettage. No such relationship was found with any other micro-organism. Depending on the prevalence of C. trachomatis in a given population, screening followed by selective treatment or prophylactic use of antimicrobial medication for all women is indicated to prevent post-abortum infections.