The London Times has reported on a large Scottish study finding that induced abortion increases the risk of premature birth in subsequent pregnancies by as much as 34%. The study appears at Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Volume 24, Issue 5, October 2010, Pages 667-682, and is available through the Science Direct database if your library subscribes. All of Volume 24, Issue 5 of the journal addresses induced abortion and is worth reading if your work includes the medical aspects of abortion. I have copied the title and article abstract below.
Obstetric performance following an induced abortion
Lowit, A.a , Bhattacharya, S.a , Bhattacharya, S.b
Abstract
Abortion has been legalised in most of the Western world for the past four decades. In areas where abortion practices are legal and easy to access, the risk of short-term complications is very low. As most women requesting induced abortion (IA) are young, potential adverse effects on subsequent reproductive function are important to them. This review investigates obstetric performance following IA and highlights methodological problems associated with research in this area. Some data suggest that IA may be linked with an increased risk of low birth weight, miscarriage and placenta previa but could be protective for pre-eclampsia. Current evidence also suggests an association between IA and pre-term birth. Large prospective cohort studies, which permit meaningful subgroup analyses, are needed to provide definitive answers on outcomes following alternative methods of IA and the impact of gestational age at abortion on future obstetric outcomes. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.
Bhattacharya, S.; Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZL, United Kingdom;
© Copyright 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved. © MEDLINE® is the source for the MeSH terms of this document.
Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume 24, Issue 5, October 2010, Pages 667-682