Fetal complications associated with unsuccessful attempts at termination of pregnancy

Background: Two different methods are in use for induction of abortion: eit her dilation and curettage (D&C) or medical termination with antigestagens and/or prostaglandins. The risk of continuing pregnancy after D&C ranges fr om 0.023 to 1% and is inversely correlated with gestational age. Methods and Results: Several authors reported fetal anomalies (limb and ore -facial defects) in such cases. For the medical induction of abortion a com bination of Mifepristone and Misoprostole is the treatment of choice in ord er to reduce the risk of ongoing pregnancy. Using single drug therapy carri es an increased risk of failure and of subsequent fetal anomaly. There seem s to be an increased incidence of limb defects and Mobius' syndrome in fetu ses born after failed termination of pregnancy, but normal fetal developmen t is entirely possible. Conclusion/Discussion: The patients concerned must be informed in detail of the risks and probable consequences which must be included in the counsell ing concept of the treating gynaecologist.