Latent morbidity after abortion.

Abstract

Response is given to a previous article on latent morbidity after abortion, analyzing and challenging some of the article's conclusions. Differing interpretations of statistics on Japanese infant mortality after World War II are discussed. A 1972 Hungarian research report is reviewed showing a consistent relationship between previous spontaneous or induced abortion and the probability of premature delivery or raised perinatal mortality. This relationship was more prevalent in older than younger women, and in cases when the abortion prior to delivery had taken place within 1 year. A relationship was also found between smoking and perinatal mortality. One possible cause of the increased risk of prematurity found in this study is the use of dilation and curettage for abortion in Hungary. In a long series of abortions by vacuum aspiration in neighboring Yugoslavia, no alteration of the prematurity rate was found. This technique apparently does not threaten the integrity of the cervix. Any relationship between abortion and subsequent ectopic pregnancies is disputed by Japanese and Yugoslavian studies. In answer to other doubts about the advisability of abortion, the 2-year experience with legal abortion in New York City during 1970-1972, involving 82,800 cases found a significant reduction in maternal mortality (only 1 death), a significant decrease in illegal abortion, and a measureable improvement in contraceptive use.