Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Incomplete Abortion

Incomplete Abortion: Sign, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Definition of Abortion:

Abortion is the ending of pregnancy by removing a fetus or embryo before it can survive outside the uterus. It is the premature exit of the products of conception (the fetus, fetal membranes, and placenta) from the uterus.

Definition of Incomplete Abortion:

When part of the product of conception remains within uterus, it is called incomplete abortion. In an incomplete abortion, parts of the fetus or placentál material stay inside the uterus.

Common Causes of Incomplete Abortion:

A. In First Trimester:

1. Maternal TORCH infection,
2. SLE,
3. Maternal metabolic diseases- DM, thyroid disease,
4. Endocrine disorders: Progesterone deficiency,
5. Folic acid deficiency,
6. HTN,
7. Chronic renal disease,
8. Fetal abnormality (95%) due to-

• Chromosomal abnormality
• Infective placentationiegne
• Irradiation
• Cytotoxic drugs

You may follow Types, Causes and Complications of Abortion

B. Second Trimester:

1. Maternal metabolic diseases,
2. Uterine fibroid,
3. Maternal infections,
4. Idiopathic (20%),
5. Uterine abnormality:

• Cervical incompetence
• Uterine malformation

Clinical Features of Incomplete Abortion:

Symptoms of Incomplete Abortion:

1. Amenorrhoea
2. Persistent PV bleeding in varying amount
3. H/O passage of product of conception (partial)
4. Others:

• Size of uterus may reduce
• There may be pain (may severe)

Signs of Incomplete Abortion:

1. G/E: Anemia, tachycardia, hypotension
2. PIA: Uterine height not correspond with the age of gestation
3. PIV:

• Os open,
• Product is felt or hanging.

Investigation of Incomplete Abortion:

1. USG,
2. Urine for albumin and sugar,
3. Blood:

• TC, DC, ESR, Hb%,
• Blood groping,
• Rh typing and
• Cross matching.

Treatment of Incomplete Abortion:

A. General Treatment:

1. Hospitalization
2. Assessment of vital signs
3. Immediate resuscitation of the patient by bed rest.

• IV infusion (plasma, hematocrite, Hartman’s solution etc),
• Analgesic: Inj. pethidine,
• Blood transfusion (if needed),
• Antibiotics Amoxicillin ± Metronidazole.

4.  Send:

• The blood for Hb%, grouping and cross matching, TC, DC.
• Urine for albumin & sugar.

B. Specific Treatment:

1. Cervix is open: Evacuation and curettage under sedation by pethidine and phenoiarbitone. Any material removed must be sent for histo-pathology. If not possible-Dilatation evacuation and curettage.
2. Inj. ergometrin after emptying uterus.
3. Anti D Ig in Rh (-ve) mother.
4. Psychological support and advice for follow up examination:

• Contraception if necessary,
• Three normal periods before embarking on another pregnancy.

Cause of Death Due To Abortion:

• Hemorrhage and shock,
• Neurogenic shock,
• Secondarily due to sepsis,
• Acute renal failure,
• Thromboembolism,
• DIC,
• Generalized peritonitis.

More questions related to this article:

• Define abortion.
• What do you mean by abortion?
• Define incomplete abortion.
• Write down the management of incomplete abortion.
• How will you diagnose and treat a case of incomplete abortion?
• How abortion can cause death to a woman?
• What are the symptoms of incomplete abortion?
• What are the signs of incomplete abortion?
• What are the signs and symptoms of incomplete abortion?
• Discuss the treatment of incomplete abortion.