A Study on the Prevalence and Impact of Infectious Causes of Abortion in Women

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the uterus, either spontaneously (miscarriage) or intentionally (induced). On the other hand, induced abortions carried out for various reasons are referred to as elective abortions, whereas therapeutic abortions are performed to protect the pregnant woman's health. The gestational period is a particularly delicate time because it is characterized by major physiological changes in both the mother and the fetus. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Toxoplasma gondii are among the pathogenic agents that have been associated with pregnancy problems, including miscarriage. About 75% of all pregnancy losses are miscarriages that happen in the first trimester, up to 12 weeks of gestation, and are primarily caused by embryonic abnormalities. Miscarriages that occur after the first trimester, often known as late miscarriages, can be caused by cervical deficiencies, infections that disrupt the fetal membranes and cause them to rupture prematurely, or maternal health issues. The risk of miscarriage is considerably higher for women who have experienced prior pregnancy losses. The probability increases from 17% to 25% after two recurrent miscarriages, and from 25% to 46% after three or more frequent losses.