Frequency of abortion in different seasons and age groups.

During the routine histopathological examination of the specimens in the department of Pathology, Mymensingh Medical College, the investigators observed variation in the frequency of abortion in different months in comparison to other cases. This is a descriptive study and was designed to find out the frequency of abortion in comparison to other cases in different seasons and mothers' age groups. A total of 1382 specimens were examined histologically in one year period from July 2000 to June 2001, of which 130 (9.41%) were histologically diagnosed as abortion i.e. retained products of conception (RPOC). The frequency of abortion cases was highest in May (18.98%) followed by June (17.31%). The frequency of abortion was lowest in September (1.69%). Abortion cases were significantly associated with relatively hot season (March-August) than that of cold season (September to February; p < 0.01). The frequency of abortion was found to be highest in age group of 26 to 30 years. Management facilities of abortion should be readily available during the high frequency of abortion i.e. relatively hot season especially April, May and July, to reduce maternal mortality from complications of abortion.

Estudo epidemiológico do abortamento no Brasil / Epidemiological study of abortion in Brazil

Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência do abortamento induzido em relaçao ao abortamento espontâneo em instituiçoes hospitalares. Delineamento: estudo retrospectivo nao controlado. Local:cinco instituiçoes hospitalares localizadas em diferentes cidades do Brasil (Fortaleza, Recife, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro e Campinas), de O1.09.1992 a 31.08.1993. Pacientes: 4.408 - Universidade Federal do Ceará (l.l17), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro(l.OO4), Universidade Federal do Paraná (999), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (276) e Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (l.Ol2). Variáveis: perfil obstétrico, dados de planificaçao familiar, variáveis da esfera sócio-econômica, características do abortamento (diagnóstico, tratamento e complicaçoes). Resultados: as pacientes eram solteiras (60 por cento), com início de vida sexual na adolescência (88 por cento). A incidência do abortamento precoce foi de 81 por cento, e a curetagem só ou associada a antibióticos foi o tratamento usado em 95 por cento dos casos. A incidência de abortamento provocado foi de 19 por cento e em 80 por cento dos casos fármacos orais ou injetáveis foram o agente indutor. Conclusoes: a incidência de abortamento induzido é alta, principalmente em mulheres jovens, solteiras, pouco instruídas e com início de vida sexual precoce.