An Epidemiology Study to Determine the Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Recurrent Spontaneous Miscarriage in India.

BACKGROUND

The data on the prevalence of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) in India are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of RSM in Indian females.

METHODS

Female patients aged between 18 and 45 years with history of at least one spontaneous miscarriage were enrolled in the study. The probability of a subsequent miscarriage after the first, second, and third miscarriage was determined. The prevalence of RSM (defined as loss of ≥3 pregnancies of ≤20 weeks gestation each) between different age groups was compared using χ (2) test. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to determine any association between RSM and the presence of risk factors.

RESULTS

Of the 2398 patients screened for eligibility, 767 (32 %) had a history of at least one spontaneous miscarriage. The prevalence of RSM among the 753 enrolled patients who satisfied the eligibility criteria in the study was 7.46 %. RSM was mostly recorded in the age group of ≥33 years (14.68 %, n = 32). In patients with RSM, the second and third miscarriages were more prevalent during 7th week to end of 11th week of gestation. The probability of having a subsequent miscarriage after the first, second, and third miscarriage was 0.25, 0.34, and 0.22, respectively. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between RSM and clotting disorders, immunological factors, infections, and genetic disorders.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed a higher prevalence of RSM among the Indian women as compared to western data. Age, clotting disorders, immunological factors, infections, and genetic disorders were the significant risk factors associated with RSM.