Retrospective analysis of pregnancy terminations and indications in a tertiary center

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications of pregnancies terminated which were for maternal and fetal causes in our clinic and to discuss legal and ethical issues differing by countries. Methods: This study was performed retrospectively by evaluating 318 pregnancies terminated due to maternal or fetal indications over 10 weeks. Results: Termination of pregnancy was performed due to fetal congenital, chromosomal and obstetrical reasons in 96.8% of 318 terminated cases and due to maternal reasons in 3.2% of them. Thirty-two (10%) late termination cases with gestational week > 23 + 0 were termed after feticide procedure. Conclusion: Gestational limit for termination of pregnancy varies from country to country, which brings ethical problems with it. We presented indications of pregnancy terminations in our clinic, which is a tertiary and reference center within the legal framework.

Keywords

• chromosomal and fetal abnormalities
• prenatal diagnosis
• termination of pregnancy