Huxley A K, Sibley M A
Department of Anthropology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.
J Forensic Sci. 1998 Jan;43(1):218-21.
In this case report, a very obese young woman who claimed to be 17 gestational weeks into pregnancy, sought an elective abortion. Upon dilation and curettage, the doctor assessed the fetal remains to be nearly 26 gestational weeks. After contacting local authorities, who turned the case over to the Office of the Medical Examiner, the doctor determined that the woman had apparently forged her sonography report from the radiology clinic. She was thus able to obtain an abortion at more than 23 gestational weeks. While abortion laws vary from state to state, most doctors are reluctant to perform an abortion on a woman so far into term, since serious medical complications may arise and fetal viability must be considered. This case history may demonstrate the importance of independent confirmation of gestational age prior to such a procedure.
在这份病例报告中，一名自称怀孕17周的极度肥胖年轻女子寻求选择性堕胎。刮宫时，医生评估胎儿遗体接近孕26周。在联系当地当局后，当局将此案移交给法医办公室，医生确定该女子显然伪造了放射科诊所的超声报告。因此，她得以在孕23周多的时候进行了堕胎。虽然各州的堕胎法律各不相同，但大多数医生都不愿为孕周如此大的女性进行堕胎，因为可能会出现严重的医疗并发症，而且必须考虑胎儿的存活能力。这个病史可能表明了在进行此类手术前独立确认孕周的重要性。
