Objective:

To assess the indications and distribution of cases decided for termination of pregnancy and reasons delaying to third trimester termination.

Methods:

Retrospective study of cases between 2002 and 2006 in the hospital council. Cases were divided in two groups as early termination (<23 weeks of gestation) and late termination (≥ 23 weeks of gestation). All pregnant women who underwent termination were classified according related systemic pathology and chorionicity. Reasons delaying to third trimester termination were evaluated in four groups.

Results:

During this five year period 1.449 complicated pregnancies were counseled and in 713 cases termination was offered. Of 677 cases (94.95%) with termination, 412 cases (60.09%) had early and 265 cases (39.91%) late termination. The most seen indications were central nervous system abnormalities (51.7%), chromosomal abnormalities (11.7%), and urogenital abnormalities (8.4%). The main reason in delaying termination was failure of screening by ultrasound (65.6%).

Conclusion:

Systematic screening for fetal anomalies is the main step for prevention of affected pregnancies. Information given to parents for TOP is important, but the decision for TOP is influenced by many factors.

Keywords: Prenatal diagnosis, fetal anomaly, pregnancy termination