Definition:
A threatened miscarriage is a condition that suggests a miscarriage might take place before the 20th week of pregnancy.
Alternative Names:
Threatened miscarriage; Threatened spontaneous abortion; Abortion - threatened; Threatened abortion
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
A small number of pregnant women have some vaginal bleeding, with or without abdominal cramps, during the first trimester of pregnancy. When the symptoms indicate a miscarriage is possible, the condition is called a "threatened abortion." (This refers to a naturally occurring event, not medical abortions or surgical abortions.) Miscarriage occurs in just a small percentage of women who have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. For more information, see: Miscarriage
References:
Katz VL. Spontaneous and recurrent abortion: etiology, diagnosis, treatment. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 16. Simpson JL, Jauniaux ERM. Pregnancy loss. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 24. Laurino MY, Bennett RL, Saraiya DS, et al. Genetic evaluation and counseling of couples with recurrent miscarriage: Recommendations of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. J Genet Couns. June 2005;14(3).
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