Introduction Recurrent Spontaneous abortion (RSA) is one of the most common complications in reproductive ages. Several factors such as genetic, anatomical, and endocrine disorders, infection, and environmental and immunological factors have been involved in RSA. In cases of abortions, whose reasons are known, the chance of success in pregnancy can be increased after the elimination of the defective factors; but, in women with a history RSA with an unknown reason, there is an imbalance in the regulatory mechanisms of immune cells, and even the pattern of immunological cells changes in these women. Actually, an inappropriate immune response is often associated with pregnancy loss. Immunologic factors involved in patients with RSA have gradually been identified, using diagnostic methods and several studies. The present study was conducted with the aim of reviewing RSA immunology and new findings in this field. In this study, more than 40 articles on immunologic factors involved in RSA were reviewed. Conclusion Based on the current findings related to the immunology of pregnancy, due to the extensive role of the immunologic factors in this disorder, more accurate identification of the functional role of each immunologic factor becomes more important. Also, new therapeutic approaches will be addressed to the researchers in this field based on the changes in the function of immune system.

Background: abortion is a public health concern because of its impact on maternal morbidity and mortality. Each year, about 79 million unintended pregnancies, excluding miscarriage, occur worldwide. More than half of these unintended pregnancies end in abortion. The purpose of this study was to determine the ever-event incidence of abortion (Spontaneous and induced) and some related factors in a population-based sample of reproductive age women. Methods: From July 2003 through January 2004, 2470 women were included in the study through multistage random sampling and were interviewed. Data were collected using a checklist with questions about demographics and specific items regarding abortion history. Information about age, literacy, gravidity, marriage age, abortion, type of abortion, family history of abortion, history of family marriage, smoking, drug use, alcohol use, coffee intake, and incidence of abortion during the previous year were recorded. Statistical analysis included Student’s t-test, Chi-square, ANOVA, and logistic regression using SPSS software. Results: Out of the 2,470 women in the study, 775 (45.7%), had at least one abortion in their lives. Of the women who had an abortion, 20.6% reported induced abortion and 74.2% reported Spontaneous abortion. Forty-one point four percent of women aged 45 years and older had at least one abortion in their lifetime. Fifty-one (2.1%) women had a history of abortion during the previous year; the largest proportion was 5.4% for the age group 15 – 24 years. The most common method of induced abortion in the previous year was dilatation and curettage (42 to 67%). In multivariate analysis, household number, coffee consumption, gravidity, smoking, and history of abortion in the family were the most important factors related to abortion in the different age groups of women. Conclusion: This study shows that the occurrence of at least one abortion in the life of women in our setting is high and varies by age group. There is a need for expanded comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, and more education and accessibility of contraception methods.

Background: Spontaneous abortion is the most common adverse pregnancy outcome. We aimed to investigate a possible link between nutrient deficiencies and the risk of Spontaneous abortion.Materials and Methods: This case-control study included the case group (n=331) experiencing a Spontaneous abortion before 14 weeks of pregnancy and the control group (n=331) who were healthy pregnant women over 14 weeks of pregnancy. The participants filled out Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), in which they reported their frequency of consumption for a given serving of each food item during the past three months, on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The reported frequency for each food item was converted to a daily intake. Then, consumption of nutrients was compared between the two groups.Results: There are significant differences between the two groups regarding consumed servings/day of vegetables, bread and cereal, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, fats, oils and dairy products (P=0.012, P<0.001, P=0.004, P<0.001, P=0.019, respectively). There are significant differences between the two groups in all micronutrient including folic acid, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and zinc (P<0.001).Conclusion: Poor nutrientions may be correlated with increased risk of Spontaneous abortion.

Background: Spontaneous abortion is the most common adverse pregnancy outcome. We aimed to investigate a possible link between nutrient deficiencies and the risk of Spontaneous abortion.Materials and Methods: This case-control study included the case group (n=331) experiencing a Spontaneous abortion before 14 weeks of pregnancy and the control group (n=331) who were healthy pregnant women over 14 weeks of pregnancy. The participants filled out Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), in which they reported their frequency of consumption for a given serving of each food item during the past three months, on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The reported frequency for each food item was converted to a daily intake. Then, consumption of nutrients was compared between the two groups.Results: There are significant differences between the two groups regarding consumed servings/day of vegetables, bread and cereal, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, fats, oils and dairy products (P=0.012, P<0.001, P=0.004, P<0.001, P=0.019, respectively). There are significant differences between the two groups in all micronutrient including folic acid, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and zinc (P<0.001).Conclusion: Poor nutrientions may be correlated with increased risk of Spontaneous abortion.

Background: Recurrent abortion is a difficult medical problem happening in about 1-2% of fertile women. Most Spontaneous miscarriages which happen in the first and second trimesters are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. Objective: The present study tries to find the rate of chromosomal abnormalities in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss. Materials and Methods: In total 165 couples were referred to genetic counseling clinic with a history of at least three previous abortions. In all women antibodies against toxsoplasmose, rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were analysed by ELIZA. In 88 couples karyotyping was conducted by analysis of G and/or C banding. Metaphase spreads were made from  phytohaemaglutinin-stimulated peripheral lymphocytes using standard cytogenetic techniques. The chromosomal status was analyzed using CytoVision Ultra ver.4.0 from Applied Imaging. The x2-test and ANOVA were used for statistical evaluation. The level of p<0.05 was considered as significance. Results: Most of the patients had 3 repeated abortions (61.2%). Cytogenetic analysis performed for 88 couples and karyotypes of 12.5% of them were abnormal. The majority of them had monosomy X (6.82%), followed by balanced translocation (2.27%). The number of female carries chromosomal abnormality exceeded significantly than of male. Coefficient of inbreeding in more than 50% of couples had fifth degree of relationship (89 out of 165). Conclusion: Our results showed that 12.5% of the couples with missed abortion had an abnormal karyotype, with no other abnormality. Cytogenetic findings in Spontaneous aborted specimens could provide valuable information for genetic counseling and prenatal care in future pregnancies in couples with a history of repeated pregnancy loss.  

Background: Humans require minute amounts of trace metals to maintain body’ s normal growth and physiological functions; such elements may also play a vital role in pregnancy and pregnancy outcome. The present study was conducted to assess the role of two trace metals, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in women with history of Spontaneous abortion (SAb cases) in comparison to women without such history (controls). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 277 subjects were enrolled from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India. Personal demographic information, medical history, reproductive history especially details of number of SAb, duration of last SAb, number of children, etc. were recorded using predesigned and pre-tested proforma. Serum Zn and Cu levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The data indicated that the serum level of Cu (P<0. 01) and Zn was lower in SAb cases as compared to controls. Correlation between the number of SAbs and trace metals levels showed a significant negative correlation between Cu and Cu/Zn and the number of SAbs. Cu/Zn was higher in controls and women having at least one child as compared cases and women without child, respectively. Pregnant women had higher levels of trace elements as compared to non-pregnant women at the time of enrollment. Conclusion: The data revealed that trace metals such as Zn and Cu have a positive role in pregnancy outcome and optimum levels of Zn and Cu might be able to decline the chances of SAb occurrence in addition to other factors. The ratio of Cu/Zn has a positive role in reproductive outcomes.