Fetal pathology in second-trimester miscarriages.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to analyze, based upon autopsy, the main characteristics of miscarriages in the second trimester.


METHODS
We have processed the results of fetopathological investigations of 544 aborted fetuses resulting from 486 second-trimester miscarriages.


RESULTS
Malformation could be identified in 13.05% of all cases. In almost one third of the patients there was a positive history. In the cases having a malformation, expressed dominance of male fetuses could be observed. Among the fetopathologically identified malformations, 49 were isolated. The most common was the single umbilical artery (22.4%). In 1.3% of the cases a chromosome aberration was verified.


CONCLUSIONS
Miscarriage in pregnancies complicated by a malformation occurs approximately 3 weeks earlier than in cases without a confirmed malformation. There is practically no difference between affected and unaffected miscarriages as far as the cumulative ratio of positive history is concerned. A single umbilical artery alone predisposes to miscarriage, while in association with other malformations it may result from chromosome aberration.
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of General Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. joogabor@hotmail.com
József Gábor
JG
Joó
Artúr
A
Beke
Eniko
E
Berkes
Zoltán
Z
Papp
János
J
Rigó
Csaba
C
Papp
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000453:epidemiology; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012744:Sex Ratio