The effect of gestational age on the outcome of second-trimester termination of pregnancies for foetal abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of gestational age on the outcome of second-trimester termination of pregnancies for foetal abnormalities.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted on 280 pregnancies terminated for foetal abnormalities in the second trimester using vaginal misoprostol. The gestational age at termination was divided into three groups: 13-16 weeks, 17-20 weeks and 21-23 weeks. The likelihood of (1) abortion within 24 h of commencement of misoprostol, (2) incomplete abortion and (3) experiencing significant side effects was compared among these three gestational groups after adjusting for maternal age, parity and body mass index (BMI).


RESULTS
Compared to termination after 20 weeks, pregnancy termination for foetal abnormality before 17 weeks of gestation was associated with higher chance of incomplete abortion (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.07-4.61, p = 0.032) and lower chance of experiencing significant side effects (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01-0.91, p = 0.041).


CONCLUSIONS
Women undergoing pregnancy termination for foetal abnormalities in the early second trimester should be informed of possible higher chance of incomplete abortion.
Prenatal Diagnosis and Counselling Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. a9401438@graduate.hku.hk
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D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000027:Abortion, Incomplete / Q000209:etiology; D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol