ABSTRACT
The perinatologists are emerging as the physicians who evaluate and treat women with
recurrent pregnancy loss. Recurrent miscarriage, previously referred to as habitual
abortion, affects almost 1 % of couples. The etiologies of recurrent miscarriage are
diverse and may be divided into genetic defects, such as chromosomal anomalies; maternal
reproductive anatomic disease, both developmental and acquired, such as septate uterus
or cervical incompetence; and systemic maternal disease such as antiphospholipid antibody
syndrome or maternal diabetes. A cause for recurrent miscarriage can be identified
approximately 60% of the time. We emphasize the tremendous psychological impact of
recurrent miscarriage. We contrast any proposed treatments with the empiric fact that
with no treatment after recurrent losses, couples still have a 60 to 70% chance of
delivering a viable infant.
Keywords
Recurrent miscarriage - spontaneous abortion - habitual abortion - chromosomal anomalies
