Previous miscarriage and stillbirth as risk factors for other unfavourable outcomes in the next pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To look for associations between previous fetal loss and fetal malformation or low birthweight in a subsequent pregnancy.


METHODS
A case-control study with place of birth, time and sex matched controls.


METHODS
72 South American maternity hospitals.


METHODS
18,534 malformed, 1150 non-malformed babies of low birthweight and 16,394 controls. All babies were from mothers with at least one previous pregnancy.


METHODS
Frequency of stillbirths and miscarriages in the previous pregnancy and outcome of the index pregnancy.


RESULTS
Multiple malformation, Down's syndrome, anencephaly, spina bifida, pes equinovarus, congenital dislocation of the hip and low birthweight are associated with previous fetal loss.


CONCLUSIONS
A miscarriage or a stillbirth in a previous pregnancy should be taken into account when the risk of malformations or low birthweight in a subsequent pregnancy is assessed.
Paz
J E
JE
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, CEMIC, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Otaño
L
L
Gadow
E C
EC
Castilla
E E
EE
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006618:Hip Dislocation, Congenital / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors