Pregnancy outcome following a second-trimester loss.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between fetal loss in the second trimester and subsequent adverse birth outcomes.


METHODS
We identified 95 women in our system who had a pregnancy loss at 13-24 weeks in the years 1985-1990 and tabulated the rates of preterm delivery, stillbirth, and neonatal death in the next pregnancy. We compared these outcomes to two groups: women who delivered at 25-36 weeks in their index pregnancy and those who delivered at term in their index pregnancy.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine percent of women who had a pregnancy loss at 13-24 weeks in the index pregnancy had a preterm delivery in their next pregnancy, 5% had a stillbirth, and 6% had a neonatal death, with all outcomes worse than those found in the two control populations. Delivery at 19-22 weeks in the index pregnancy was associated with a 62% preterm delivery rate in the subsequent pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
A second-trimester loss, especially one occurring at 19-22 weeks, is associated with a poor prognosis in the subsequent pregnancy.
Goldenberg
R L
RL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Mayberry
S K
SK
Copper
R L
RL
Dubard
M B
MB
Hauth
J C
JC
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors