title: Spontaneous abortion.
abstract: Spontaneous abortion, or the early termination of pregnancy without outside interference, may be caused by fetal, maternal or external factors. In many cases, a specific etiology may never be identified. A variety of clinical presentations are possible, ranging from imperceptible loss to profound life-threatening shock. Physicians should be able to diagnose and manage the six recognized types of spontaneous abortion: threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, missed and septic. In all cases, uterine evacuation, avoidance of complications and psychologic support of the family are important. The prognosis for a subsequent successful pregnancy is good, except in cases of habitual abortion.
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Clinic, London, England.
authors.forename: W Z
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: McBride
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000030:Abortion, Missed / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000031:Abortion, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000033:Abortion, Threatened / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors