Exploring of the causes and outcomes of therapeutic abortions in the general hospital northern Iran: An old challenge in law and medicine.

BACKGROUND

Abortion is an issue of critical importance at the intersection of medical science and ethics, as maternal and fetal causes can motivate this practice. A correct understanding of these underlying factors can assist in its prevention through timely diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to investigate the etiological factors and outcomes of legal, therapeutic abortions.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted, in which 131 pregnant patients who underwent abortion after obtaining permission from the Forensic Medicine Organization, were referred to a hospital in northern Iran from 2018 to 2022. The relevant patient information was collected and recorded in checklists for analysis.

RESULTS

The average age of the referred patients was 30 ± 7 years, with a mean BMI of 27 ± 6 kg/m2, and an average gestational age of 14 ± 3 weeks. Therapeutic abortion was attributed to 43 cases involving maternal factors, with cardiovascular complications being the most prevalent cause. Furthermore, 97 cases were associated with fetal factors, among which the most common causes were chromosomal abnormalities, nervous system disorders, and thalassemia major; accounting for 24 cases (18 %), 23 cases (17 %), and 13 cases (9 %), respectively. In 70 % of cases, the treatment was simultaneous administration of misoprostol and curettage.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study highlight the importance of education and public awareness about the legal, ethical, and medical consequences of terminating a pregnancy, particularly among pregnant mothers who undergo therapeutic abortion with permission from the Forensic Medicine Organization. This may be an effective way to reduce the rate of abortion and its associated complications.