CONSANGUINITY AND MATERNAL AGE;

POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS FOR SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS IN PAKISTANI FEMALES OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP (15-49 YEARS).

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of risk factors i.e. consanguinity and
maternal age associated with spontaneous abortions in Pakistan and to propose ways to
reduce them. Study design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Place of study: Gynecology
department of Military Hospital and Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Duration of
study: 6 months (September 2015 to February 2016). Sampling technique: Non probability
convenient sampling. Methodology: 150 married female patients in reproductive age group
(15-49 years), who were confirmed cases of pregnancy and presented with abortions, were
interviewed and responses were filled in a structured questionnaire after written consent.
The collected data was then entered and analyzed by SPSS 20.0. Results: The major bulk
of spontaneous abortions occurred in the maternal age group of 25-35 years (55.3%). A total
of 53.3% of abortions occurred in the gestational age of less than 12 weeks. Around 54.7% of
females had family history of spontaneous abortions and 65.3% had consanguineous marriage.
Conclusion: Spontaneous abortions occur more frequently in the females of 25-35 years
age group and among the fetuses with gestational age less than 12 weeks (1st trimester of
pregnancy). Family history of spontaneous abortions and consanguinity are associated with
spontaneous abortions.