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Late pregnancy abortions: an analysis of Québec stillbirth data, 1981–2006

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International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

We evaluated late pregnancy abortions from 1981 to 2006 in Québec, Canada.

Methods

We extracted late abortions from the stillbirth mortality file, and calculated yearly rates per 100,000 pregnancies, including mean gestational age, birth weight, maternal age and education.

Results

There were 14.4 late abortions per 100,000 overall pregnancies [95% confidence interval 12.9, 16.1], and rates appeared to increase with time. Mean gestational age (24.7 weeks) and birth weight (886 g) suggested that abortions were performed in the late second and third trimesters.

Conclusions

Late abortions in Québec are not common but do occur. Research is needed to determine whether the increase in rates over time reflects better reporting or a true increase. Improved surveillance of late abortions may be warranted.

Résumé

Objectif

Évaluer les avortements tardifs au Québec, Canada, 1981–2006.

Méthode

Les avortements tardifs ont été extraits du fichier des mortinaissances, et les taux par 100,000 grossesses ont été calculés, ainsi que l’âge moyen gestationnel, le poids à la naissance, l’âge et l’éducation maternel.

Résultat

Il y avait 14,4 avortements tardifs pour 100,000 grossesses (intervalle de confiance de 95% = 12,9–16,1). Les taux semblent augmenter avec le temps. L’âge moyen gestationnel (24,7 semaines) et le poids (886 g) suggèrent que les avortements se sont produits pendant les deuxième et troisième trimestres.

Conclusion

Les avortements tardifs demeurent rares au Québec mais se produisent. Il reste à déterminer si l’augmentation dans le temps est réelle ou est la conséquence d’ une meilleure collecte de données. La surveillance des avortements tardifs semble justifiée.

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Acknowledgments

This study was not funded by an external source. The authors acknowledge with appreciation Robert Choinière (Institut national de santé publique du Québec), Chantal Girard (Institut de la statistique du Québec), and Madeleine Rochon (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Nathalie Auger.

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Auger, N., Denis, G. Late pregnancy abortions: an analysis of Québec stillbirth data, 1981–2006. Int J Public Health 57, 443–446 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0313-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0313-1

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