Short Term Complications and Other Aspects of Morbidity
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"Somatic Complications and Contraceptive Techniques Following Legal Abortion." G. Fried, E. Ostlund, C. Ullberg, M. Bygdeman, Acta Obstet Scand. 68:515-521,1989.
- In a study of 1000 women who had abortions in Stockholm, Sweden in 1987, 5.4% were reported to have complications in the form of infection, bleeding or incomplete abortion, fever at over 38 degrees centigrade (1.6%). About one half (2.8%) were re-admitted to the hospital.
"Complications of termination of pregnancy: a retrospective study of admissions to Christchurch Women's Hospital, 1989 and 1990," P. Sykes, New Zealand Medical Journal 106: 83-85, March 10,1993.
- A 1989-90 New Zealand study found an overall complication rate of 5.8% following induced abortion as measured by readmission of women. This included 2.9% who had retained products of conception. Immediate complications (0.92%) included perforation, hemorrhage and post-operative pain. Delayed complications were lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding presumed to be due to endometritis, retained products of conception or both.
"Early Complications After Induced First-Trimester Abortion," L Heisterberg and M Kringelbach, Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 66:201-204, 1987
- A Danish study during 1980-85 reported 6.1% of women had postabortion complications requiring hospitalization.
"Induced abortions operations and their early sequelae," P.I. Frank, C.R. Kay, S.S. Wingrave, J. Royal College General Practitioners 35: 175, April, 1985
- A British study of 6105 women during 1976-79 found that the main factors independently affecting post abortion morbidity were the place of operation, gestation at termination, method of operation, sterilization at the the time of abortion and smoking habits. Morbidity rates were higher for abortion carried out under the National Health Service than in private practice. Overall newly presenting morbidity, as defined in the study, was reported in 16.9% of the patients (1031 patients) in the 21 days following abortion of which 10% (612 patients) was thought to be directly related to the abortion. Major complications as defined in the study were 2.1%.
"Women refused second-trimester abortion: correlates of pregnancy outcome," N. Binkin, C. Mhango, W. Cates, B. Slovis, M. Freeman, Am.J. Obstet Gynecol 145:279,1983.
- Among 50 women (86% black) who obtained legal abortions in Atlanta, Georgia after being denied abortion at Grady Memorial Hospital in 1978-79, 12% subsequently reported at least one complication including retained placenta, hemorrhage, pelvic infection or cervical or uterine injury when followed-up in 1980-81.
"Morbidity Risk Among Young Adolescents Undergoing Elective Abortion," R.T. Burkman, M.F. Atienza, T.M. King, Contraception 30 (2):99-105, Aug. 1984.
- In a study at Johns Hopkins Hospital of 399 adolescents (57.4% black) aged 17 or less at the time of their abortion matched to 399 women aged 20-29 years found that adolescents had a statistically significant relative risk of 2.5 of endometritis compared with women aged 20-29 (7% vs. 2.7%); 1.25% vs. 0.5% had cervical lacerations and 1.75% had hemorrhaging greater than 500 cc (same as controls). Approximately 4% of adolescents had preexisting cervical gonorrhea compared with 2.7% of women aged 20- 29.
"A New Problem in Adolescent Gynecology," M Bulfin, Southern Medical Journal72(8): 967-968, Aug 1979.
- Fifty-four teenage patients were seen with significant complications after legal abortion. None felt they had been afforded any meaningful information about the potential dangers of the abortion operation. Perforation of the uterus, peritonitis, pelvic pain, pelvic abscesses, bleeding and cramping, cervical lacerations, severe hemorrhage and adverse psychological and psychiatric sequelae were noted in various case reports.
"Pregnancy Complications Following Legally Induced Abortion," E. Obel, Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand., 58: 485-490 (1979).
- Bleeding before 28 weeks of gestation and retention of placenta or placental tissue occurred more frequently after an abortion than in a control group matched for age, parity and socio-economic status.
"Late Sequelae of Induced Abortion: Complications and Outcome of Pregnancy and Labor," S. Harlap and A.M. Davies, American Journal of Epidemiology, 102(3): 217-224 (1975).
- Seven hundred fifty-two mothers who were interviewed during a subsequent pregnancy, and who reported one or more induced abortions in the past, were more likely to report bleeding in each of the first three months of present pregnancy. They were subsequently less likely to have a normal delivery, and more of them needed a manual removal of the placenta or other intervention in the third stage of labor. A disturbing finding in this study is the excess of malformations in the births following earlier induced abortions.
"Intrauterine Adhesions Secondary to Elective Abortion," C. March and R. Israel, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 48 (4): 422-424 October 1976.
- Amenorrhea and/or infertility secondary to intrauterine adhesions (Asherman's syndrome) following elective abortion is a significant complication.
"Increased Reporting of Menstrual Symptoms Among Women Who Used Induced Abortion," L. Roht, M. Former, H. Aoyama and E. Fonner, American Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology, 127(4): 356-362 February 15,1977.
- D&C technique of abortion appears to create more menstrual disturbances - i.e., menorrhagia and lengthy or painful menses than vacuum aspiration. The broader array of excess symptoms reported by Japanese women suggests a psychic component as well. Japanese women who desire abortion will frequently travel to a different city or neighborhood to avoid friends or acquaintances. Japanese women apparently under report their prior abortion experience in interviews, compared with questionnaires answered anonymously and in the privacy of their homes.
"Morbidity and Mortality from Second Trimester Abortions," D. Grimes and K. Schulz, Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 30(7): 505-514 July 1985.
- Little information exists concerning the potential late sequelae of second-trimester abortion.