Pregnancy outcome after illegal induced abortion in Nigeria: a retrospective controlled historical study.

The effect of illegal abortion on subsequent reproduction was studied in 46 Nigerian women who gave a history of illegal termination of pregnancy. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidences of premature rupture of membranes, premature labour and low birth weight when compared to 53 primigravida who gave no such history of abortion. The perinatal mortality was also significantly higher in the abortion group. In contrast, pre-eclampsia was less common in the abortion group. These findings indicate that illegal abortion has adverse effects on pregnancy outcome in Nigerian women.