Abortion-related deaths are rare in the U.S., although mortality increases with advancing gestational age.
More than 1 million terminations of unintended pregnancies are performed in the U.S. each year. Since 2000, medical abortion with mifepristone has become available in addition to surgical methods. To examine contemporary causes of abortion-related maternal mortality, investigators analyzed CDC data between 1998 and 2010.
Overall, 0.7 deaths/100,000 procedures occurred. Mortality was lower in white and Hispanic women (0.4 and 0.5/100,000, respectively) than black women (1.1/100,000). Procedures were riskier with advancing pregnancy: Mortality was 0.3/100,000 at ≤8 weeks' gestation and 6.7/100,000 at ≥18 weeks. Anesthesia complications were the most common cause of death among women with surgical abortions, as was infection among women with me…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)
RoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris
Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases
Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)
RoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris
Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases
Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)