Late pregnancy abortions: an analysis of Québec stillbirth data, 1981-2006.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated late pregnancy abortions from 1981 to 2006 in Québec, Canada.


METHODS
We extracted late abortions from the stillbirth mortality file, and calculated yearly rates per 100,000 pregnancies, including mean gestational age, birth weight, maternal age and education.


RESULTS
There were 14.4 late abortions per 100,000 overall pregnancies [95% confidence interval 12.9, 16.1], and rates appeared to increase with time. Mean gestational age (24.7 weeks) and birth weight (886 g) suggested that abortions were performed in the late second and third trimesters.


CONCLUSIONS
Late abortions in Québec are not common but do occur. Research is needed to determine whether the increase in rates over time reflects better reporting or a true increase. Improved surveillance of late abortions may be warranted.
Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, 190, boulevard Crémazie Est, Montreal, QC, H2P 1E2, Canada. nathalie.auger@inspq.qc.ca
Nathalie
N
Auger
Geoffroy
G
Denis
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult