eMedicine Specialties > Emergency Medicine > Obstetrics & Gynecology

Abortion, Incomplete

Verena T Valley, MD, Associate Professor, Director of Ultrasound, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Loretta Jackson-Williams, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center; Christopher A Fly, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia

Updated: May 30, 2006

Introduction

Background

The most common complication of pregnancy is spontaneous abortion, which occurs in an estimated 10-15% of pregnancies. Spontaneous abortions are categorized as threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, or missed. Spontaneous abortions can be classified further as sporadic or recurrent. By definition, an incomplete abortion is the partial expulsion of the products of conception before the 20th week of gestation.

Pathophysiology

The timing of miscarriage suggests the pathophysiology of a spontaneous abortion. Genetic anomalies (eg, trisomies); hormonal abnormalities; and infectious, immunologic, and environmental factors usually result in first-trimester pregnancy loss. Anatomic factors usually are associated with second-trimester pregnancy loss. Factor XIII deficiency and a complete or partial deficiency of fibrinogen are associated with recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Frequency

United States

Many pregnancies are not viable. According to estimates, 50% of pregnancies terminate spontaneously before the first missed menstrual period; these abortions usually are not clinically recognized. Spontaneous abortion typically is defined as a clinically recognized (ie, by blood test or ultrasound) pregnancy loss before 20 weeks' gestation.

Mortality/Morbidity

Surveillance data from 1987 through 1990 reveal a total of 1459 pregnancy-related deaths in the US. Spontaneous and induced abortions accounted for 5.6% of these deaths.

Race

Surveillance data for pregnancy-related deaths from 1987 through 1990 demonstrate more deaths due to ectopic pregnancy and spontaneous and induced abortion among African American women than among Caucasian women. Fourteen percent of pregnancy-related deaths among black women were due to ectopic pregnancies; 7% were due to abortions. Among white women, data show that 8% of pregnancy-related deaths were due to ectopic pregnancies; 4% were due to abortions.

Age

• Age and increased parity affect a woman's risk of miscarriage. In women younger than 20 years, miscarriage occurs in an estimated 12% of pregnancies. In women older than 20 years, miscarriage occurs in an estimated 26% of pregnancies.
• Age primarily affects the oocyte. When oocytes from young women are used to create embryos for transfer to older recipients, implantation and pregnancy rates mimic those seen in younger women. The number of miscarriages and chromosomal anomalies decreases, suggesting that the uterus is not responsible for poor outcomes in women of advanced reproductive age.

Clinical

History

Although classified as different entities, incomplete and inevitable miscarriages present in a similar clinical fashion and have similar treatment. An inevitable abortion involves continuous and progressive dilation of the cervix without expulsion of the products of conception before the 20th week of gestation.

• The patient history should include the following:
  • Last menstrual period (LMP)
  • Estimated length of gestation
  • Ultrasound results, if previously performed
  • Bleeding (eg, degree, duration, presence/passage of tissue): Bleeding may be quantified roughly by the number of pads soaked per hour or day. An average pad absorbs approximately 20-30 mL of blood.

Physical

• Vital signs should be within reference ranges unless infection is present or hemorrhage has caused hypovolemia.
• The abdomen usually is soft and nontender.
• On pelvic examination, products of conception may be partially present in the uterus, may protrude from the external os, or may be present in the vagina. Bleeding and cramping usually persist.
• The cervix appears dilated and effaced.
• Bimanual examination reveals an enlarged and soft uterus.

Causes

• Genetic factors
  • Approximately 5% of spontaneous abortions occur because of genetic factors.
  • Trisomy chromosomes commonly are encountered, with trisomy 16 accounting for approximately a third of chromosomal abnormalities in early pregnancy.
• Anatomic factors: Congenital or acquired anatomic factors are reported to occur in 10-15% of women who have recurrent spontaneous abortions.
  • Congenital anatomic lesions include müllerian duct anomalies (eg, septate uterus, diethylstilbestrol [DES]-related anomalies). Müllerian duct lesions usually are found in second-trimester pregnancy loss.
  • Anomalies of the uterine artery with compromised endometrial blood flow are congenital.
  • Acquired lesions include intrauterine adhesions (ie, synechiae), leiomyoma, and endometriosis.
• Endocrine factors
  • Endocrine factors potentially contribute to recurrent abortion in 10-20% of cases.
  • Luteal phase insufficiency (ie, abnormal corpus luteum function with insufficient progesterone production) is implicated as the most common endocrine abnormality contributing to spontaneous abortion.
  • Hypothyroidism, hypoprolactinemia, poor diabetic control, and polycystic ovarian syndrome are contributive factors in pregnancy loss.
• Infectious factors
  • Presumed infectious etiology may be found in 5% of cases.
  • Bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and zoonotic infections are associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion.
• Immunologic factors
  • Immunologic factors may contribute in up to 60% of recurrent spontaneous abortions.
  • Both the developing embryo and the trophoblast may be considered immunologically foreign to the maternal immune system.
  • Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome generally is responsible for more second-trimester pregnancy losses than first-trimester losses.
• Miscellaneous factors
  • Miscellaneous factors may account for up to 3% of recurrent spontaneous abortions.
  • Other contributing factors implicated in sporadic and recurrent spontaneous abortions include environment, drugs, placental abnormalities, medical illnesses, and male-related causes.

Differential Diagnoses

Other Problems to Be Considered

Molar pregnancy

Workup

Laboratory Studies

• Complete blood count with differential
• Blood type and Rh factor
• Qualitative and quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin-beta
• Factor XIII and fibrinogen

Imaging Studies

• Ultrasound is useful in evaluation of incomplete abortion.
• An incomplete abortion may demonstrate a variety of sonographic findings as follows:
  • The gestational sac may be misshaped or collapsed, or it may be intact, containing a nonliving embryo. In addition, an irregular complex mass within the endometrial or endocervical canal may be present.
  • Echogenic material or debris within the endometrial canal may represent retained products of conception or clotted blood.
  • First-trimester molar pregnancies may simulate an incomplete abortion, with echogenic material within the endometrial cavity that has no characteristic vesicles or cysts.
  • Intrauterine fluid collections may represent pseudogestational sacs found in ectopic pregnancies.
  • Studies suggest no statistically significant relationship between the initial presence of a gestational sac or endometrial thickness and the success rate or expectant management.

Procedures

• Transabdominal ultrasound of the pelvis provides an overall view of the pelvic structures. A full bladder is required as a sonographic window.
• Endovaginal ultrasound gives a detailed view of the endometrium of the uterus, ovaries, adnexa, and cul-de-sac. An empty bladder is required for optimal imaging.

Treatment

Prehospital Care

• Maintain routine universal precautions in view of potentially heavy vaginal bleeding.
• Encourage the patient to bring any passed tissue to the hospital for evaluation.

Emergency Department Care

• Treat all patients with vaginal bleeding of any etiology as follows:
  • Determine hemodynamic stability and treat instability.
  • Determine pregnancy status (qualitative and quantitative).
  • Pelvic ultrasonography may be useful in clinically classifying spontaneous abortion. Determination of Rh status and hematocrit usually is indicated.
• In most cases, vacuum or suction curettage can be performed in the outpatient setting or the ED.
• The treatment goal is evacuation of the uterus to prevent complications such as further hemorrhage and/or infection.

Consultations

• Obstetrics/gynecology consultation is indicated.

Medication

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to prevent complications and reduce morbidity.

Immune globulins

These agents suppress immune response and antibody formation.

Rho(D) Immune Globulin (RhoGAM)

In nonsensitized Rho(D)-negative mothers who are exposed to Rho(D) prevents antibody formation to Rh-positive red blood cells of the fetus caused by abortion, fetomaternal hemorrhage, abdominal trauma, amniocentesis, full-term delivery, or transfusion accident.

Dosing

Adult

>13 weeks GA: 300 mcg IM

Pediatric

<12 years: Not established
>12 years: Administer as in adults

Interactions

None reported

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; patients who have received Rho(D)-positive blood within the last 3 months

Precautions

Pregnancy

C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.

Precautions

Caution in thrombocytopenia, bleeding disorders, or IgA deficiency

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

• If bleeding cannot be controlled in the ED, transfer the patient to the operating room (OR) for examination. Anesthetize the patient and perform uterine evacuation.

Further Outpatient Care

• After curettage, observe the patient for 4-6 hours. If stable, the patient can be discharged.
• Administer the standard dose of Rho(D) immune globulin (ie, 300 mcg) to women who are Rh-negative to prevent Rh immunization.
• Send products of conception for pathologic evaluation.

Complications

• Potential complications include septic abortion and hypovolemic or septic shock.
• Preexisting anemia may make patients more susceptible to hypovolemic shock.
• Patients with HIV infection who are undergoing curettage may have a higher rate of procedure-related complications but no increase in infectious morbidity.

Prognosis

• The prognosis for a successful pregnancy depends upon the etiology of previous spontaneous abortions.
  • Correction of an endocrine abnormality in women with recurrent abortion has the best prognosis for a successful pregnancy (>90%).
  • In women with an unknown etiology of prior pregnancy loss, the probability of achieving successful pregnancies is 40-80%.
  • The live-birth rate after documentation of fetal cardiac activity at 5-6 weeks of gestation in women with 2 or more unexplained spontaneous abortions is approximately 77%.

Patient Education

• Advise patients to return to the ED upon occurrence of symptoms such as the following:
  • Profuse vaginal bleeding
  • Severe pelvic pain
  • Temperature above 38°C (100.4°F)
• Patients may experience intermittent menstrual-like flow and cramps during the following week. The next menstrual period usually occurs in 4-5 weeks.
• Patients can resume regular activities when able but should refrain from intercourse and douching for approximately 2 weeks.
• For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Pregnancy and Reproduction Center and Procedures Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Pregnancy, Bleeding; Miscarriage; Abortion; and Dilation and Curettage (D&C).

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

• Ectopic pregnancy
  • Endometrial shedding, which clinically simulates miscarriage, may occur with an ectopic pregnancy. This misdiagnosis is the greatest potential pitfall.
  • An empty uterus on ultrasound may represent an ectopic pregnancy.
• Retained products
  • Sonography for the diagnosis of retained products can yield false-positive rates, with one report of an overall false-positive rate of 34%.
  • Retained products may be more commonly found when an evacuation is performed after 15 weeks' gestation.

Special Concerns

• Offer grief counseling to all patients after a miscarriage.

Multimedia

Media file 1: This image shows an endovaginal longitudinal view of a low-lying gestational sac (GS) within the uterus (Ut), representing an incomplete abortion.

Media file 2: Abortion, incomplete. This endovaginal longitudinal view demonstrates fluid within the uterus (Ut). Echogenic debris also is present within the endometrial cavity. This image shows a large pseudogestational sac of an ectopic pregnancy.

References

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Keywords

miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, incomplete abortion, pregnancy loss, threatened abortion, inevitable abortion, complete abortion, missed abortion

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Verena T Valley, MD, Associate Professor, Director of Ultrasound, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Verena T Valley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Loretta Jackson-Williams, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Loretta Jackson-Williams, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher A Fly, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia
Christopher A Fly, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Roy Alson, MD, PhD, FACEP, FAAEM, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Forsyth County EMS; Deputy Medical Advisor, North Carolina Office of EMS; Associate Medical Director, North Carolina Baptist AirCare
Roy Alson, MD, PhD, FACEP, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, North Carolina Medical Society, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Mark Zwanger, MD, MBA, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University
Mark Zwanger, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

John D Halamka, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Pamela L Dyne, MD, Associate Professor, Program Director, Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine
Pamela L Dyne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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