Miscarriage: Difference between revisions
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===Definition=== | ===Definition=== | ||
When a mother loses a baby naturally. It occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy, and is the most common complication of [[early pregnancy]]. | When a mother loses a baby naturally. It occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy, and is the most common complication of [[early pregnancy]]. When a mother experiences 3 or more, it is referred to as ''recurrent miscarriage''. | ||
===Epidemiology=== | ===Epidemiology=== |
Revision as of 13:19, 22 October 2008
Definition
When a mother loses a baby naturally. It occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy, and is the most common complication of early pregnancy. When a mother experiences 3 or more, it is referred to as recurrent miscarriage.
Epidemiology
It is difficult to assess accurately, but around 15% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. This doesn't include those that end before the women realises she is pregnant.
Pathophysiology
The exactly physiology of miscarriage is poorly understood, and varies due to various causes. The key reasons are:
- Abnormal embyro - around a third of miscarriages are due to the fetus not being genetically viable.
- Age - older women are more likely to miscarry.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome -