RESUMO
Determining the frequencies of various histological abnormalities of chorionic villi in cases of spontaneous abortions for better understanding of etiology and pathogenesis of the abortions. Cross sectional study. This study was conducted at the Department of Pathology Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences [DUHS] Karachi from January 2009 to December 2010. A total of 209 cases were included in this study from January 2009 to December 2010 and studied for the following variables e.g. age, date of last menstrual period [if given], period of amenorrhea [if available], history of previous abortions. This information was obtained from surgical pathological registers, request cards and copies of reports. The slides and paraffin blocks of cases coded as Abortions were collected from the files of Surgical Pathology of Department of Pathology Dow Medical College DUHS. The paraffin blocks were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. A total of 209 cases of Abortions were studied. In order to find the commonest age group of abortions, the maternal age of the patients were divided into 5 groups with less than 20 years to more than 35 years. Maximum numbers of abortions were encountered in maternal age group of 31-35 years with 85 cases [40.66%] and minimum number of abortions seen in maternal age of< 20 years with 16 cases [7.65%]. Regarding the gestational period, it was provided in 117 cases. A maximum number of 45 cases [38.46%] were seen during 8-12 weeks of gestation and a minimum number of 10 cases [8.5%] were noted between 16-20 weeks. In the remaining 92 cases gestational period was assessed by estimation of presence / absence of nucleated RBCs in chorionic villi according to Salafia et-al. Histological changes found in the chorionic villi were classified into 3 types according to Rushton's classification. This included hydropic change of the villi [type-I] fibrotic change [type-II] and normal honey combed appearance [type-III]. Out of the 209 cases of abortions, 104 cases belonged to type-I, 81 cases classified as type-II and 24 cases as type-III. It is of empirical value that products of conception should be studied in detail then just to confirm that pregnancy was established. This is of significant importance in patients with recurrent and habitual abortions, so as to establish a probable cause and to manage future pregnancies