Abortion

Question 1

Common causes of abortion in the first trimester:

Answer 1

1) Genetics
2) Endocrine disorders
3) Immunological disorders
4) Infections
4) Unknown

Question 2

Common causes of abortion in the second trimester:

Answer 2

1) Anatomic abnormalities
2) Maternal medical illness
3) Unknown

Question 3

The majority of early abortions are due to:

Answer 3

Chromosomal abnormality

Question 4

What is the most common chromosomal abnormality leading to abortion?

Answer 4

Autosomal trisomy (Trisomy 16 MOST COMMON)

Question 5

Which anatomic abnormalities cause second trimester abortions?

Answer 5

1) Cervical incompetence
2) Congenital malformation of uterus
3) Uterine fibroid

Question 6

Methods for inducing criminal abortion:

Answer 6

1) Abortifacient drugs
2) General violence
3) Local violence

Question 7

What are ecbolics?

Answer 7

Drugs that increase uterine contractions

Question 8

Examples of ecbolics:

Answer 8

1) Ergot preparations
2) Synthetic estrogens
3) Pituitary extract
4) Strychnine
5) Quinine

Question 9

What are emmenagogues?

Answer 9

Drugs that initiate or increase menstrual flow

Question 10

Examples of emmenagogues:

Answer 10

1) Estrogen
2) Savin
3) Borax
4) sanguinarin

Question 11

Unskilled interference and local violence:

Answer 11

1) Self-instrumentation
2) Abortion stick

Question 12

What are the immediate complications of criminal abortion?

Answer 12

1) Hemorrhagic shock
2) Air/fat/amniotic fluid embolism
3) Poisoning
4) Vagal inhibition

Question 13

What are the delayed complications of criminal abortion?

Answer 13

1) Septicemia
2) Generalized peritonitis
3) Pyemia
4) Toxemia
5) Local infection
6) Tetanus

Question 14

What are the systemic complications of criminal abortion?

Answer 14

1) Endocarditis
2) Endotoxic shock
3) Pneumonitis
4) Acute renal failure
5) Jaundice/hepatitis
6) Pulmonary embolism

Question 15

What is the most common complication of septic abortion?

Answer 15

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Question 16

Which stain is useful to detect amniotic fluid embolism deaths?

Answer 16

Lendrum’s stain (Phloxine-Tartrazine)

Question 17

Nearly all criminal abortions take place at about which months of pregnancy?

Answer 17

2-3 months

Question 18

What are the most common reasons for second trimester abortions?

Answer 18

1) Sex selective abortions
2) Delay of accessing abortion services for an unwanted pregnancy

Question 19

Sudden death of a woman of childbearing age should give rise to suspicion of criminal abortion if:

Answer 19

1) The deceased was pregnant and deeply cyanosed
2) Instruments to procure an abortion or drugs, are found at the scene of death
3) Under clothing appears to be disturbed after death
4) Fluid, soapy material or blood coming out of vagina

Question 20

How do you confirm or exclude an air embolism?

Answer 20

Open the body after radiological examination, as it may show translucency of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

Question 21

The following criteria suggest a causal relationship between trauma and abortion:

Answer 21

1) The traumatic event was followed within 24 hours by processes that ultimately lead to abortion

2) Appearance of the fetus and placenta should be compatible with the period of pregnancy at which the traumatic event occurred

3) The fetus and placenta should be normal