Objective: The objective of the study was to characterize women undergoing a termination of pregnancy (TOP) during the second trimester and to evaluate the risk factors and timing of repeat TOP.
Study design: This nationwide retrospective cohort study investigated 41,750 women who underwent TOP during the first (n = 39,850) or second (n = 1900) trimester in Finland in 2000-2005. The follow-up time was until repeat TOP or until Dec. 31, 2006.
Results: TOP during the second trimester increases the risk of repeat TOP (hazard ratio [HR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-1.6), repeat second-trimester TOP (HR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.9-5.1), and repeat TOP after 16 weeks of gestation (HR, 5.0; 95% CI, 3.3-7.7). The other risk factor for these is young age (HR, 7.0, 95% CI, 5.3-9.3; and HR, 12.5; 95% CI, 3.1-50.4 for age <20 years).
Conclusion: Second-trimester TOP and young age are risk factors for repeat second-trimester TOP. Special focus on these women might be effective in decreasing repeat abortions.
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