Accuracy of assessment of pregnancy duration by women seeking early abortions

No test medical abortion - a review of the evidence on selective use of preabortion testing

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The last decade has seen a cascade of different telemedicine models for medical abortion (MA) being tested and implemented. Among these service delivery models is the 'no-test' MA model, in which care is provided remotely and eligibility for the MA is based on history alone. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the existing evidence for no-test MA.

RECENT FINDINGS

The evidence base for no-test MA relies heavily on cohort and noncomparative studies predominantly from high resource settings. Recent findings indicate that no-test MA is safe, effective, and highly acceptable. Diagnoses of ectopic pregnancy and underestimation of gestational age were rare. Identified advantages included shortening time to access MA and mitigating access barriers such as cost, and geographical barriers. Abortion seekers valued omitting the ultrasound citing reasons such as privacy concerns, costs, more flexibility, and control. The impacts of no-test MA on unscheduled postabortion contacts and visits and on contraceptive use were unclear due to limited evidence.

SUMMARY

No-test MA can be provided to complement other care pathways including those with some or no in-person care. Further research is needed to allow for widespread adoption of no-test MA and scale-up in a variety of contexts, including low-resource settings.

Miles and days until medical abortion via TelAbortion versus clinic in Oregon and Washington, USA

BACKGROUND

Medical abortion provided via telemedicine is becoming more widely available, potentially decreasing travel time for in-person abortion evaluation.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all outpatient medical abortions from October 2016 through December 2019 at our academic medical centre in Portland, Oregon, USA. Using mifepristone administration logs, we identified patients who underwent abortion via direct-to-patient telemedicine or in clinic. Both groups had pre-abortion ultrasound examination. We extracted patient characteristics and geographic data to compare travel distance to clinic, ultrasound facility, and nearest advertised abortion clinic. We compared time from first contact until mifepristone ingestion and gestational age at mifepristone ingestion.

RESULTS

Median distance from mailing address to clinic for 80 telemedicine and 124 clinic medical abortions was 95 (range 4-377) and 12 (range 0-184) miles (p<0.01). Distance travelled to ultrasound facility was shorter for telemedicine patients (median 7 miles, range 0-150 vs 12 miles, range 0-184; p<0.01) excluding outliers >200 miles. Distance to nearest advertised abortion clinic was equal between groups (median 7 miles, p=0.4). Time to mifepristone administration (ingestion) was longer (11 vs 6 days; p<0.01) and median gestational age was higher (49 vs 44 days; p=0.01) for telemedicine.

CONCLUSIONS

Telemedicine increases the reach of abortion providers and provides care to more geographically distant patients. Patients chose telemedicine abortion even when they had an equidistant option, suggesting that patients value telemedicine for reasons other than geographic convenience. This telemedicine delivery model that included ultrasound testing prior to abortion resulted in up to a 5-day delay in abortion initiation, which was not clinically significant.

Factors associated with calendar literacy and last menstrual period (LMP) recall: a prospective programmatic implication to maternal health in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE

To explore the prevalence and determinants of calendar literacy and last menstrual period (LMP) recall among women in Bangladesh.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTINGS

Two rural subdistricts and one urban area from three Northern districts of Bangladesh.

PARTICIPANTS

We interviewed 2731 women who had a live birth in the last 1 year.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome variable was LMP recall and the secondary outcome was calendar literacy.

RESULTS

The majority of participants (65%) correctly mentioned the current date according to the English calendar while 12% mentioned according to the Bengali calendar. During the interview sessions, we used three different calendars: Bengali, English and Hijri to assess calendar literacy. We asked women to mark the current date using the calendar on the day of the interview. Almost 61% women marked the English calendar, 16% marked the Bengali calendar and 4% marked the Hijri calendar correctly. Sixty-three per cent women were found as calendar literate who marked any of the calendars. Among the participants, 58% had calendars available at their home and only 10% of women used calendars to track their LMPs. Overall, 53% women were able to recall their recent LMP. Among the calendar literate, 60% could recall their LMPs. Factors found associated with recalling LMP were: completed eight or more years of schooling (adj.OR 1.39), primigravida (adj.OR 1.88), the richest wealth quintile (adj.OR 1.55) and calendar literacy (adj.OR 1.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite having reasonable calendar literacy and availability, the use of calendars for tracking LMP found very low. Calendar literacy and sociodemographic characteristics were found as the key factors associated with LMP recall. Maternal, neonatal and child health programmes in low-resource settings can promote a simple tool like calendar and target the communities where ultrasound is not available to ensure accurate LMP recall for early pregnancy registration and timely antenatal care coverage.

2020 developments in the provision of early medical abortion by telemedicine in the UK

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the rapid implementation of telemedical health services. In the United Kingdom, one service that has benefitted from this response is the provision of early medical abortion. England, Wales, and Scotland have all issued approval orders to this effect. These orders allow women to terminate pregnancies up to certain gestational limits, removing the need for them to contravene social distancing measures to access care. However, they are intended only as temporary measures for the duration of the pandemic response. In this paper, we chart these developments and further demonstrate the already acknowledged politicisation of abortion care. We focus on two key elements of the orders: (1) the addition of updated clinical guidance in the Scottish order that suggests an extended gestational limit, and (2) sunset clauses in the English and Welsh orders, as well as an indication of similar intentions in Scotland. In discussing these two issues, we suggest that the refusal of UK governments to introduce telemedical provision of early medical abortion previously has not been based on health concerns. Further, we question whether it would be appropriate for the approval orders to be lifted following the pandemic, suggesting that to do so would represent regressive and harmful policy.

Early termination of pregnancy: differences in gestational age estimation using last menstrual period and ultrasound in Mexico

Background

Gestational age estimation is key to the provision of abortion, to ensure safety and successful termination of pregnancy. We compared gestational age based on reported last menstrual period and ultrasonography among a large sample of women in Mexico City’s public first trimester abortion program, Interrupcion Legal de Embarazo (ILE).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 43,219 clinical records of women seeking abortion services in the public abortion program from 2007 to 2015. We extracted gestational age estimates in days based on last menstrual period and ultrasonography. We calculated the proportion of under- and over-estimation of gestational age based on last menstrual period versus ultrasonography. We compared overall differences in estimates and focused on discrepancies at two relevant cut-offs points (70 days for medication abortion eligibility and 90 days for ILE program eligibility).

Results

On average, ultrasonography estimation was nearly 1 (− 0.97) days less than the last menstrual period estimation (SD = 13.9), indicating women tended to overestimate the duration of their pregnancy based on recall of date of last menstrual period. Overall, 51.4% of women overestimated and 38.5% underestimated their gestations based on last menstrual period. Using a 70-day limit, 93.8% of women who were eligible for medication abortion based on ultrasonography would have been correctly classified using last menstrual period estimation alone. Using the 90-day limit for ILE program eligibility, 96.0% would have been eligible for first trimester abortion based on last menstrual period estimation alone.

Conclusions

The majority of women can estimate gestational age using last menstrual period date. Where available, ultrasonography can be used, but it should not be a barrier to providing care.

Gestational dating using last menstrual period and bimanual exam for medication abortion in pharmacies and health centers in Nepal

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether conducting a bimanual examination prior to medication abortion (MAB) provision results in meaningful changes in gestational age (GA) assessment after patient-reported last menstrual period (LMP) in Nepal.

STUDY DESIGN

Women ages 16-45 (n=660) seeking MAB at twelve participating pharmacies and government health facilities, between October 2014 and September 2015, self-reported LMP. Trained auxiliary nurse midwives assessed GA using a bimanual exam after recording LMP. We compared GA assessments as measured via patient-reported LMP alone versus via LMP plus bimanual exam.

RESULTS

Overall, 660 women (326 at pharmacies, 334 at health facilities) presented for MAB, and 95% were able to provide an LMP. Overall agreement between LMP alone and LMP with bimanual exam was 99.3%. If LMP alone had been used without bimanual exam, fewer than one in 200 women would have been given MAB beyond the legal gestational limit. Among the three women who were ≤63 days by LMP but >63 days by bimanual exam, only one would have received MAB beyond 70 days gestation. Fewer than one in 600 women would not have received MAB care when eligible by adding a bimanual exam.

CONCLUSION

There was high agreement between LMP alone and LMP plus bimanual exam. Routine bimanual exam may not be essential for safe and effective MAB care for women who are able to report an LMP. Removing the bimanual exam requirement could decrease barriers to provision outside of currently approved clinical settings and allow for expanded abortion access through provision by providers without bimanual exam training or facilities.

IMPLICATIONS

Routine bimanual exams may not be essential for safe medication abortion provision by trained clinicians in pharmacies and health facilities in low resource settings like Nepal.

Accuracy of gestational age estimation from last menstrual period among women seeking abortion in South Africa, with a view to task sharing: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

The requirement for ultrasound to establish gestational age among women seeking abortion can be a barrier to access. Last menstrual period dating without clinical examination should be a reasonable alternative among selected women, and if reliable, can be task-shared with non-clinicians. This study determines the accuracy of gestational age estimation using last menstrual period (LMP) assessed by community health care workers (CHWs), and explores providers' and CHWs' perspectives on task sharing this activity. The study purpose is to expand access to early medical abortion services.

METHODS

We conducted a multi-center cross-sectional study at four urban non-governmental reproductive health clinics in South Africa. CHWs interviewed women seeking abortion, recorded their LMP and gestational age from a pregnancy wheel if within 63 days. Thereafter, providers performed a standard examination including ultrasound to determine gestational age. Lastly, investigators calculated gestational age for all LMP dates recorded by CHWs. We compared mean gestational age from LMP dates to mean gestational age by ultrasound using t-tests and calculated proportions for those incorrectly assessed as eligible for medical abortion from LMP. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with six providers and seven CHWs.

RESULTS

Mean gestational age was 5 days (by pregnancy wheel) and 9 days (by LMP calculation) less than ultrasound gestational age. Twelve percent of women were eligible for medical abortion by LMP calculation but ineligible by ultrasound. Uncertainty of LMP date was associated with incorrect assessment of gestational age eligibility for medical abortion (p = 0.015). For women certain their LMP date was within 56 days, 3% had ultrasound gestational ages >70 days. In general, providers and CHWs were in favour of task sharing screening and referral for abortion, but were doubtful that women reported accurate LMP dates. Different perspectives emerged on how to implement task sharing gestational age eligibility for medical abortion.

CONCLUSIONS

If LMP recall is within 56 days, most women will be eligible for early medical abortion and LMP can substitute for ultrasound dating. Task sharing gestational age estimation is feasible in South Africa, but its implementation should meet women's privacy needs and address healthcare workers' concerns on managing any procedural risk.

Determining the accuracy of pregnancy-length dating among women presenting for induced abortions in Ghana

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proportion of women presenting for an induced abortion in Ghana who could use a gestational wheel to determine if they had reached at least 13 weeks or fewer than 13 weeks of pregnancy accurately.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study was conducted at four facilities in Ghana between February 1, and July 31, 2014. Women aged at least 18 years seeking induced abortions who had not previously been informed of the length of their pregnancy by a clinician were enrolled. Women self-assessed pregnancy duration using a gestational wheel before a clinician assessed the length via clinical assessment and bimanual exam for use as a respective reference point. The proportion of participants who used the wheel successfully was calculated.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 780 participants, 770 of whom used the gestational wheel. Of these, 221 (28.7%) could use the wheel without verbal instructions, and 465 (60.4%) described it as easy to use. Agreement in pregnancy-length assessments was recorded for 728 (94.5%) patients. There were 10 (1.3%) and 28 (3.6%) participants who made evaluations with "low-risk disagreement" and "high-risk disagreement" with the clinician assessment, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Almost all participants could use the gestational wheel to date their pregnancies correctly. This tool could help women perform medical abortions safely in the community, reducing morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortions.

Characteristics and Circumstances of U.S. Women Who Obtain Very Early and Second-Trimester Abortions

Objective

To determine which characteristics and circumstances were associated with very early and second-trimester abortion.

Methods

Paper and pencil surveys were collected from a national sample of 8,380 non-hospital U.S. abortion patients in 2014 and 2015. We used self-reported LMP to calculate weeks gestation; when LMP was not provided we used self-reported weeks pregnant. We constructed two dependent variables: obtaining a very early abortion, defined as six weeks gestation or earlier, and obtaining second-trimester abortion, defined as occurring at 13 weeks gestation or later. We examined associations between the two measures of gestation and a range of characteristics and circumstances, including type of abortion waiting period in the patients’ state of residence.

Results

Among first-trimester abortion patients, characteristics that decreased the likelihood of obtaining a very early abortion include being under the age of 20, relying on financial assistance to pay for the procedure, recent exposure to two or more disruptive events and living in a state that requires in-person counseling 24–72 hours prior to the procedure. Having a college degree and early recognition of pregnancy increased the likelihood of obtaining a very early abortion. Characteristics that increased the likelihood of obtaining a second-trimester abortion include being Black, having less than a high school degree, relying on financial assistance to pay for the procedure, living 25 or more miles from the facility and late recognition of pregnancy.

Conclusions

While the availability of financial assistance may allow women to obtain abortions they would otherwise be unable to have, it may also result in delays in accessing care. If poor women had health insurance that covered abortion services, these delays could be alleviated. Since the study period, four additional states have started requiring that women obtain in-person counseling prior to obtaining an abortion, and the increase in these laws could slow down the trend in very early abortion.

Preterm birth: Case definition & guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of immunisation safety data

Preterm birth is commonly defined as any birth before 37 weeks completed weeks of gestation. An estimated 15 million infants are born preterm globally, disproportionately affecting low and middle income countries (LMIC). It contributes directly to estimated one million neonatal deaths annually and is a significant contributor to childhood morbidity. However, in many clinical settings, the information available to calculate completed weeks of gestation varies widely. Accurate dating of the last menstrual period (LMP), as well as access to clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation are important components of gestational age assessment antenatally. This case definition assign levels of confidence to categorisation of births as preterm, utilising assessment modalities which may be available across different settings. These are designed to enable systematic safety evaluation of vaccine clinical trials and post-implementation programmes of immunisations in pregnancy.

[Role of ultrasound in elective abortions]

Ultrasound plays a fundamental role in the management of elective abortions. Although it can improve the quality of post-abortion care, it must not be an obstacle to abortion access. We thus studied the role of ultrasound in pregnancy dating and possible alternatives and analyzed the literature to determine the role of ultrasound in post-abortion follow-up. During an ultrasound scan, the date of conception is estimated by measurement of the crown-rump length (CRL), defined by Robinson, or of the biparietal diameter (BPD), as defined by the French Center for Fetal Ultrasound (CFEF) after 11 weeks of gestation (Robinson and CFEF curves) (grade B). Updated curves have been developed in the INTERGROWTH study. In the context of abortion, the literature recommends the application of a safety margin of 5 days, especially when the CRL and/or BPD measurement indicates a term close to 14 weeks (that is equal or below 80 and 27mm, respectively) (best practice agreement). Accordingly, with the ultrasound measurement reliable to±5 days when its performance meets the relevant criteria, an abortion can take place when the CRL measurement is less than 90mm or the BPD less than 30mm (INTERGROWTH curves) (best practice agreement). While a dating ultrasound should be encouraged, its absence is not an obstacle to scheduling an abortion for women who report that they know the date of their last menstrual period and/or of the at-risk sexual relations and for whom a clinical examination by a healthcare professional is possible (best practice agreement). In cases of intrauterine pregnancy of uncertain viability or of a pregnancy of unknown location, without any particular symptoms, the patient must be able to have a transvaginal ultrasound to increase the precision of the diagnosis (grade B). Various reviews of the literature on post-abortion follow-up indicate that the routine use of ultrasound during instrumental abortions should be avoided (best practice agreement). If it becomes clear immediately after the procedure that the endometrial thickness exceeds 8mm, immediate reaspiration is necessary. Ultrasound examination of the endometrium several days after an instrumental elective abortion does not appear to be relevant (grade B). An analysis of the literature similarly shows that routine ultrasound scans after medical abortions should be avoided. If a transvaginal ultrasound is performed after a medical abortion, it should take place at least two weeks afterwards (best practice agreement). The only aim of an ultrasound examination during follow-up should be to determine whether a gestational sac is present (best practice agreement). Finally, if an ultrasound is performed at any point during pre- or post-abortion care, a report should be drafted, specifying any potential gynecologic abnormalities found, but its absence must not delay the scheduling of the abortion (best practice agreement).

Self-assessment of eligibility for early medical abortion using m-Health to calculate gestational age in Cape Town, South Africa: a feasibility pilot study

Background

Although abortion is legally available in South Africa, barriers to access exist. Early medical abortion is available to women with a gestational age up to 63 days and timely access is essential. This study aimed to determine women’s acceptability and ability to self-assess eligibility for early medical abortion using an online gestational age calculator. Women’s acceptability, views and preferences of using mobile technology for gestational age (GA) determination were explored. No previous studies to ascertain the accuracy of online self-administered calculators in a non-clinical setting have been conducted.

Methods

A convenience sample of abortion seekers were recruited from two health care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa in 2014. Seventy-eight women were enrolled and tasked with completing an online self-assessment by entering the first day of their last menstrual period (LMP) onto a website which calculated their GA. A short survey explored the feasibility and acceptability of employing m-Health technology in abortion services. Self-calculated GA was compared with ultrasound gestational age obtained from clinical records.

Results

Participant mean age was 28 (SD 6.8), 41 % (32/78) had completed high school and 73 % (57/78) reported owning a smart/feature phone. Internet searches for abortion information prior to clinic visit were undertaken by 19/78 (24 %) women. Most participants found the online GA calculator easy to use (91 %; 71/78); thought the calculation was accurate (86 %; 67/78) and that it would be helpful when considering an abortion (94 %; 73/78). Eighty-three percent (65/78) reported regular periods and recalled their LMP (71 %; 55/78). On average women overestimated GA by 0.5 days (SD 14.5) and first sought an abortion 10 days (SD 14.3) after pregnancy confirmation.

Conclusions

Timely access to information is an essential component of effective abortion services. Advances in the availability of mobile technology represent an opportunity to provide accurate and safe abortion information and services. Our findings indicate that an online GA calculator would be accurate and helpful. GA could be calculated based on LMP recall within an error of 0.5 days, which is not considered clinically significant. An online GA calculator could potentially act as an enabler for women to access safe abortion services sooner.

Termination of pregnancy at very early gestation without visible yolk sac on ultrasound

INTRODUCTION

Requests for termination of pregnancy (TOP) at very early gestation (≤6 weeks) can prove challenging for abortion services as the ultrasound feature usually accepted as definitive evidence of an intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), the presence of a yolk sac within a gestational sac, may not yet be evident. In 2011 the Edinburgh TOP service introduced a protocol permitting women to proceed to treatment without further investigations provided that ultrasound showed the features of an eccentrically placed gestational sac (≥3 mm) with a decidual reaction, and there were no signs, symptoms or risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.

METHODS

A retrospective audit was conducted of outcomes of women presenting for TOP at ≤6 weeks' gestation over a 2-year period using the hospital computerised database.

RESULTS

A total of 1155 women presented for TOP with an ultrasound gestational age of ≤6 weeks. Of these, 1030 (89%) had ultrasound evidence of a yolk sac. Eighty-seven women (7.5%) had an eccentrically placed gestational sac with a decidual reaction. All 87 women fulfilled our criteria to proceed to medical TOP, and 66 did so. In the remaining 21 cases, further investigations were performed before they proceeded to medical TOP. Two (0.17%) medical TOPs failed, both in women whose initial ultrasound had shown a yolk sac.

CONCLUSION

Women with ultrasound features consistent with a very early IUP (≥3 mm eccentrically placed gestational sac with a decidual reaction) and without signs, symptoms or risk factors for ectopic pregnancy can proceed directly to medical TOP without the need for delay for further ultrasonography.

Incidence and risk factors of preterm birth in a rural Bangladeshi cohort

BACKGROUND

Globally, about 15 million neonates are born preterm and about 85% of global preterm birth occurs in Asia and Africa regions. We aimed to estimate the incidence and risk factors for preterm birth in a rural Bangladeshi cohort.

METHODS

Between June 2007 and September 2009, community health workers prospectively collected data from 32,126 mother-live-born baby pairs on household socio-demographic status, pregnancy history, antenatal care seeking and newborn gestational age determined by recall of date of last menstrual period.

RESULTS

Among all live births, 22.3% were delivered prior to 37 weeks of gestation (i.e. preterm); of which 12.3% were born at 35-36 weeks of gestation (late preterm), 7.1% were born at 32-34 weeks (moderate preterm), and 2.9% were born at 28-31 weeks of gestation (very preterm). Overall, the majority of preterm births (55.1%) were late preterm. Risk of preterm birth was lower among women with primary or higher level of education (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97), women who sought antenatal care at least once during the index pregnancy (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.90), and women who had completed all birth preparedness steps (RR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.34). In contrast, risk of preterm birth was higher among women with a history of child death (RR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.10), who had mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) ≤250 mm, indicative of under nutrition (for women having MUAC <214 mm the risk was higher; RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.35), who reported an antenatal complication (RR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.53), and who received iron-folic acid supplementation for 2-6 months during the index pregnancy (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.24, 1.44).

CONCLUSIONS

In resource poor settings with high burden of preterm birth, alike Bangladesh, preterm birth risk could be reduced by close monitoring and/or frequent follow-up of women with history of child death and antenatal complications, by encouraging women to seek antenatal care from qualified providers, to adopt birth preparedness planning and to maintain good nutritional status. Additional research is needed to further explore the associations of antenatal iron supplementation and maternal nutritional status on preterm birth.

Alternatives to routine ultrasound for eligibility assessment prior to early termination of pregnancy with mifepristone-misoprostol

OBJECTIVE

To test the feasibility and efficacy of an approach that foregoes the routine use of ultrasound for the determination of eligibility for medical termination of pregnancy.

DESIGN

Prospective trial.

SETTING

Ten termination of pregnancy clinics in the USA.

POPULATION

A total of 4484 women seeking termination of pregnancy with mifepristone-misoprostol.

METHODS

Women provided estimates of the date of their last menstrual period and underwent pelvic bimanual and ultrasound examinations. We compared estimates of gestational age using these three methods.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Proportion of women of ≤9 weeks' gestation by woman or provider estimate, but >9 weeks' gestation by ultrasound.

RESULTS

The reliance on women's report of their last menstrual period together with physical examination to determine their eligibility for termination of pregnancy with mifepristone-misoprostol would result in few women (63/4008 or 1.6%) accepted for treatment outside the current limits of standard mifepristone-misoprostol regimens used for early termination of pregnancy (i.e. ≤63 days' gestation on ultrasound).

CONCLUSIONS

Last menstrual period and physical examination alone, without the routine use of ultrasound, are highly effective for the determination of women's eligibility for early termination of pregnancy with mifepristone-misoprostol.

Perinatal outcomes in a South Asian setting with high rates of low birth weight

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the high rates of low birth weight in South Asia are due to poor fetal growth or short pregnancy duration. Also, it is not known whether the traditional focus on preventing low birth weight has been successful. We addressed these and related issues by studying births in Kaniyambadi, South India, with births from Nova Scotia, Canada serving as a reference.

METHODS

Population-based data for 1986 to 2005 were obtained from the birth database of the Community Health and Development program in Kaniyambadi and from the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database. Menstrual dates were used to obtain comparable information on gestational age. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) live births were identified using both a recent Canadian and an older Indian fetal growth standard.

RESULTS

The low birth weight and preterm birth rates were 17.0% versus 5.5% and 12.3% versus 6.9% in Kaniyambadi and Nova Scotia, respectively. SGA rates were 46.9% in Kaniyambadi and 7.5% in Nova Scotia when the Canadian fetal growth standard was used to define SGA and 6.7% in Kaniyambadi and < 1% in Nova Scotia when the Indian standard was used. In Kaniyambadi, low birth weight, preterm birth and perinatal mortality rates did not decrease between 1990 and 2005. SGA rates in Kaniyambadi declined significantly when SGA was based on the Indian standard but not when it was based on the Canadian standard. Maternal mortality rates fell by 85% (95% confidence interval 57% to 95%) in Kaniyambadi between 1986-90 and 2001-05. Perinatal mortality rates were 11.7 and 2.6 per 1,000 total births and cesarean delivery rates were 6.0% and 20.9% among live births >or= 2,500 g in Kaniyambadi and Nova Scotia, respectively.

CONCLUSION

High rates of fetal growth restriction and relatively high rates of preterm birth are responsible for the high rates of low birth weight in South Asia. Increased emphasis is required on health services that address the morbidity and mortality in all birth weight categories.

Preterm delivery risk in migrants in Italy: an observational prospective study

BACKGROUND

Various studies have ascertained different birth outcomes between resident and migrant populations in western countries. Considering preterm delivery (<37 complete weeks of gestation) as a perinatal risk condition, we assessed its rate in migrant and native Italian women who delivered in the main public hospital in Brescia (Italy).

METHODS

All migrant puerperas and a random sample of native puerperas hospitalized during the period February to May 2005 were included in the study after informed consent and filled in a self-administered multilanguage questionnaire enquiring about sociodemographic and obstetric data. Additional information including last menstrual period was obtained from personal obstetric records.

RESULTS

As many as 471 puerperas entered the study: 366 Italian and 105 migrant women coming from eastern Europe (41.9%), Asia (20%), South America (10.5%), and Africa (27.6%). Of the migrant population, 67 of 105 (63.8%) were at their first delivery in Italy (median interval from arrival: 3.8 y). Gestational age at delivery was assessed for 456 of 471 women (103 migrants and 353 Italians). A total of 36 (7.9%) preterm deliveries were registered: 22 (6.2%) in Italian and 14 (13.6%) in migrant puerperas (p value = 0.015). The highest preterm delivery rate was observed in African women (20.7%), while women from eastern Europe had a similar rate to Italians. In univariate analysis, factors associated to preterm delivery were parity and length of permanence in Italy. We could not demonstrate any correlation with smoking or with a delayed access to antenatal care (first obstetric evaluation after 12 complete weeks of gestation). In multivariate analysis, African origin was the only independent risk factor for preterm delivery [odds ratio (OR) = 3.54; p = 0.018].

CONCLUSIONS

In our setting, preterm delivery occurred more frequently in migrant women, particularly of African origin, and it is not associated to delayed access to antenatal care.

A comparison of women's, providers' and ultrasound assessments of pregnancy duration among termination of pregnancy clients in South Africa

OBJECTIVE

To compare providers' and women's estimates of duration of pregnancy with ultrasound estimates for determining medical abortion eligibility.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Public termination of pregnancy (TOP) services in three provinces.

SAMPLE

A total of 673 women attending the above services for TOP.

METHODS

Women participating in a medical abortion feasibility study in South Africa provided estimates of pregnancy duration and date of last menstrual period (LMP). Each woman also had clinical and ultrasound exams. We compared estimates using the four methods, calculating the proportion of women in the 'caution zone' (< or = 8 weeks gestation by woman or provider estimate and > 8 weeks by ultrasound).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Mean gestational age by each method; difference between provider and LMP estimates and ultrasound estimates; and percentage of women in the 'caution zone'.

RESULTS

Women's estimates of pregnancy duration were 19 days fewer than ultrasound estimates (95% CI = -27 to 63). Mean provider- and LMP-based estimates were two (95% CI = -30 to 35) and less than one day(s) (95% CI = -46 to 51) fewer than ultrasound estimates. Comparing provider and ultrasound estimates, 15% of women were in the 'caution zone'; this fell to 12% if estimates of 9 weeks or fewer were considered acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

Provider estimates of gestational age were sufficiently accurate for determining eligibility for medical abortion. LMP-based estimates were also accurate on average, but included more extreme differences from ultrasound estimates. Medical abortion could be provided in TOP facilities without ultrasound or with ultrasound on referral.

Reducing maternal mortality due to elective abortion: Potential impact of misoprostol in low-resource settings

Over 99% of deaths due to abortion occur in developing countries. Maternal deaths due to abortion are preventable. Increasing the use of misoprostol for elective abortion could have a notable impact on maternal mortality due to abortion. As a test of this hypothesis, this study estimated the reduction in maternal deaths due to abortion in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The estimates were adjusted to changes in assumptions, yielding different possible scenarios of low and high estimates. This simple modeling exercise demonstrated that increased use of misoprostol, an option for pregnancy termination already available to many women in developing countries, could significantly reduce mortality due to abortion. Empirical testing of the hypothesis with data collected from developing countries could help to inform and improve the use of misoprostol in those settings.

Can mifepristone medical abortion be simplified? A review of the evidence and questions for future research

Mifepristone medical abortion has been a valuable addition to the reproductive health options of women. Aspects of its provision have however sometimes limited its accessibility and use. This article summarizes existing evidence for simplifying the provision of medical abortion and thus increasing its availability. We identify three ways through which medical abortion provision might be simplified based on existing evidence and suggest five additional simplifications that require further research to confirm their safety and efficacy.

Abortion Providers and Safety of Abortion: A Community-Based Study in a Rural District of Tamil Nadu, India

This paper reports on a community-based study in 2001-02 in a rural district of Tamil Nadu, India, among 97 women who had had recent abortions, to examine their decision-making processes, the types of facility they attended and the extent of post-abortion complications they experienced. The 36 facilities they attended, both government and private, were ranked by 18 village health nurses, acting as key informants, as regards safety and quality of care. Three categories qualified and safe, intermediate or unqualified and unsafe - were identified. Most of the providers were medically trained, and 75 of the 97 women went to facilities that were ranked as high or intermediate in quality. Government abortion services were mostly ranked intermediate in quality, and criticised by both women and village health nurses. There has been a substantial decrease in the numbers of traditional and unqualified providers. However, about 30% of the women experienced moderate to serious post-abortion complications, including women who went to facilities ranked high. We recommend that government facilities, both the district hospital and primary health centres, should improve their quality of care, that unqualified providers should be stopped from practising, and that all providers should be using the safer methods of vacuum aspiration and medical methods to reduce post-abortion complications.

How regular is regular? An analysis of menstrual cycle regularity

We performed a retrospective analysis to ascertain how accurately women who believe that they have regular menstrual cycles estimate the length of their actual cycles. Data were extracted from a chart review of subjects from three different studies of barrier contraceptives. Subjects were between 18 and 40 years of age and reported "regular" prestudy menstrual cycles with a consistent cycle length between 21 and 35 days. Participants prospectively recorded their menses for the up to 30 weeks. Each subject's estimated cycle length was compared to the average of her actual cycle lengths and the range and variability in each individual's cycle length was calculated. A total of 786 cycles from 130 women who recorded 4 or more cycles were analyzed. The averages of the participants' estimated cycle lengths was similar to the prospective averages of their actual cycle lengths (29.0 +/- 2.7 days vs. 29.1 +/- 3.5 days, respectively, p = 0.8). Forty-six percent of all subjects had a cycle range of 7 days or more, and 20% had a cycle range of 14 days or more. The average length of menses was 5.2 +/- 1.0 days. When evaluating only women with cycle lengths from 21 to 35 days, the average length of menses was positively associated with the average actual cycle length (p = 0.04). Although the average of a woman's menstrual cycles compares favorably to her impression of her cycle length, the variability in menstrual cycle lengths is significant. This variation may have clinical impact on contraceptive practice, contraceptive research studies and pregnancy-related care.

Normalizing the exceptional: incorporating the "abortion pill" into mainstream medicine

Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, and in the US known as "the French abortion pill", finally received FDA approval in the United States in September 2000. This paper discusses the steps now in process to integrate this drug into mainstream healthcare and the sociological implications of those efforts. Each of the steps that is normally taken to introduce a newly approved medication in the US context is rendered highly complex in the case of mifepristone--because of the unique circumstances of abortion in both American culture generally, and medical culture specifically. The story of RU-486/mifepristone, as it is currently unfolding, can be understood as one of attempting to "normalize the exceptional". After offering a brief historical overview of the protracted struggle for FDA approval of mifepristone in the US, this paper discusses the typical processes for integration of a newly approved medication into mainstream medicine and contrasts this process with the special challenges posed by a drug that is associated with abortion. We outline the challenges to implementation, including both external and internal obstacles. We compare the traditional role of a pharmaceutical company in drug diffusion and the circumstances of the company that produces mifepristone in the US. We discuss such external obstacles as the conflict between the FDA-approved regime and an evidence-based alternative; the necessity for physicians to order and dispense this drug; the ambiguity over the need for ultrasonography; and insurance reimbursement, malpractice, and other legal issues. Internal issues addressed include "turf issues" between medical specialties and between physicians and advanced practice clinicians as well as concerns over "cowboy medicine", and patient compliance. This paper concludes with an exploration of the sociological implications of this effort to "normalize the exceptional".

Pharmacoeconomics of medical abortion: a review of cost in the United States, Europe and Asia

Procedures for the termination of pregnancy have existed for many years. Vacuum aspiration, otherwise referred to as 'surgical' abortion, is a very common and safe procedure. Its efficacy and acceptability has been established and its complication rate is low. Medical abortion is a much more recent phenomenon. It is defined as early pregnancy termination with the use of abortion inducing medications, without surgery [1]. In contrast to surgical abortion, medical abortion is not as routinely offered, nor are many providers comfortable with its use. Medical abortion regimens currently available throughout the world include mifepristone (Mifeprex trade mark, Aventis Pharma AG) and a prostaglandin analogue (usually misoprostol), methotrexate and misoprostol and misoprostol (Cytotec trade mark, CD Searle & Co.) alone. In the US, minimal information exists directly comparing medical to surgical abortion. Most abortion surveillance data was collected by the Centers for Disease Control prior to the approval of mifepristone. In contrast, there is over a decade's worth of experience from Europe with both the use and provision of medical abortion. A complete review of these issues must include background information on the history and incidence of abortion, who chooses to get an abortion, who provides that service and at what cost. The cost issue is discussed using three different viewpoints: cost to the patient, cost to the provider, cost to society - mainly in the form of government expenditure and savings. Following the cost analysis, there is a summary of relevant information from countries in Europe, primarily the UK, France, Sweden and countries in Asia, mainly China and India.

Could American women use mifepristone-misoprostol pills safely with less medical supervision?

Medical methods of early abortion differ from surgical methods in that women themselves can potentially administer the regimens. As currently researched and offered, however, the main regimen used for medical abortion, mifepristone-misoprostol, is highly medicalized, involving several clinic visits and extensive physician involvement. We re-examined the role of clinical supervision in each step of the abortion process, using data collected during a large clinical trial of mifepristone-misoprostol abortions in the US, fielded during 1994-1995. The trial was carried out in 17 geographically diverse centers, including private, public, and nongovernmental organization clinics, and enrolled 2121 women, aged 18-45 years, seeking early abortion (< or =63 days since last menstrual period). Women received 600 mg oral mifepristone, followed 48 h later by 400 microg oral misoprostol. Evidence suggests that most women can handle most steps of the medical abortion process themselves, effectively and safely. The utility of clinic visits to ingest mifepristone and misoprostol is questionable. For many women, even the follow-up visit could perhaps be replaced by telephone follow-up, combined with home pregnancy tests. Alternatives to the present protocol might allow greater control, comfort, and convenience at lower cost. Where clinician involvement might be useful, mid-level health care providers typically possess the skills necessary to offer the method safely, implying that physicians might be necessary only as complications arise. Future research useful for determining the optimal amount of medical involvement to provide mifepristone-misoprostol safely and effectively should include self-screening tests, label comprehension tests, calendars to aid in calculating gestational age, and the development of special pregnancy tests with telephone follow-up.

Accuracy of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin cutoff values at 42 and 49 days' gestation

OBJECTIVE

The accuracy of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels as cutoff values for estimating gestational age was studied.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A database was created using information from previously performed research studies, which allowed entry of women both less than and greater than 49 days' gestation, involving medical abortion. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin determinations and vaginal ultrasonography were performed in all studies before treatment. A total of 574 women had data available for analysis. A receiver operating characteristic curve was created to evaluate the predictive value of potential beta-human chorionic gonadotropin cutoff values for 42 and 49 days' gestation.

RESULTS

Appropriate serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin cutoff values for 42 and 49 days' gestation were 23,745 mIU/mL (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 91%; positive predictive value, 68%; negative predictive value, 99%) and 71,160 mIU/mL (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 62%; positive predictive value, 76%; negative predictive value, 91%), respectively. Under 42 days' gestation, the serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin-time relationship appears to be linear, with a greater diversity of individual values after 42 days.

CONCLUSION

Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin values can be used with reasonable accuracy to screen for a gestational age up to 49 days' gestation.