maternal factors
Last reviewed 01/2018
General factors:
- 10% due to maternal illness e.g. pyrexia
- chromosomal e.g. balanced translocation. In cases of recurrent abortion, 5 - 10% of couples will have a chromosomal abnormality in one partner.
- hypertension - the risk of abortion is increased among chronic hypertensives and reduced if this is controlled.
- systemic lupus erythematous
- thyroid dysfunction
- infections e.g. TORCH
- smoking
- alcohol
Local factors:
- cervical incompetence
- uterine abnormalities
There is evidence that higher maternal age is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (1).
Reference: