title: [Diagnostic and therapeutic significance of small follicular ovulation in infertile women and recurrent spontaneous abortion patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical significance and therapeutic efficacy of small follicular ovulation (SFO) in infertile women and recurrent spontaneous abortion patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinic features of 103 infertile women and recurrent spontaneous abortion patients with SFO detected by transvaginal B-ultrasonography were retrospectively analyzed. Luteal support alone in natural cycles and ovulation induction were used for treatment, and the pregnant outcomes were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 103 cases there were 74 infertile patients and 49 recurrent spontaneous abortion patients, of whom 20 had both complaints meanwhile. In the 74 infertile patients 31 were diagnosed as LPD (59.5%) and 30 as unexplained infertility (40.5%). The incidence of LPD was 58.1% (18/31) in the recurrent spontaneous abortion patients. The pregnant rate of both nature and induced ovulation cycles were 10.9% (5/46) and 31.0% (9/29) (P = 0.037) respectively in infertile patients, live birth rates were 2.2% (1/46) and 27.6% (8/29) respectively (P = 0.002), spontaneous abortion rates 80.0% (4/5) and 11.1% (1/9) respectively (P = 0.023). The pregnant rate was 28.6% (14/49) in the group of the diameter of follicle > or = 18 mm on HCG injection day, higher than that in the < 18 mm group (6.6%, 4/62) (P = 0.003). Spontaneous abortion rates were 14.3% (2/14) and 75.0% (3/4) respectively, P = 0.019.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SFO may be the cause of infertility and spontaneous abortion. Because only about half patients were diagnosed as LPD, B-ultrasonography is the main method for diagnosis of SFO and we strongly suggest that B-ultrasonography should be a routine examination for unexplained infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortion patients. Pregnant rate is lower and spontaneous abortion rate is higher in the patient with SFO. Induced ovulation treatment can increase the pregnant rate and improve the pregnant outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China. shenhuan@btamail.net.cn
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010060:Ovulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies