Consanguinity and Maternal Age; Possible Risk Factors for Spontaneous Abortions in Pakistani Females of Reproductive Age Group (15-49 Years)

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of risk factors i.e. consanguinity and maternal age associated with spontaneous abortions in Pakistan and to propose ways to reduce them. Study design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Place of study: Gynecology department of Military Hospital and Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Duration of study: 6 months (September 2015 to February 2016). Sampling technique: Non probability convenient sampling. Methodology: 150 married female patients in reproductive age group (15-49 years), who were confirmed cases of pregnancy and presented with abortions, were interviewed and responses were filled in a structured questionnaire after written consent. The collected data was then entered and analyzed by SPSS 20.0. Results: The major bulk of spontaneous abortions occurred in the maternal age group of 25-35 years (55.3%). A total of 53.3% of abortions occurred in the gestational age of less than 12 weeks. Around 54.7% of females had family history of spontaneous abortions and 65.3% had consanguineous marriage. Conclusion: Spontaneous abortions occur more frequently in the females of 25-35 years age group and among the fetuses with gestational age less than 12 weeks (1st trimester of pregnancy). Family history of spontaneous abortions and consanguinity are associated with spontaneous abortions.