Which of the following can cause abortion?

BSF Staff Nurse - 2021

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

Maternal infections are a well-established cause of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
The mechanism can involve direct infection of the fetoplacental unit via the bloodstream or an ascending infection from the lower genital tract.
These infections can lead to fetal death, inflammation, or premature uterine contractions, resulting in the loss of the pregnancy.
Specific organisms implicated include Listeria, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia trachomatis, and those in the TORCH complex (Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes).

Option A: The term 'Medicine' is too general. While specific drugs are known abortifacients (e.g., methotrexate, misoprostol) or teratogens that can lead to fetal loss, many medications are safe for use during pregnancy.
Option C: ABO incompatibility is the most common cause of hemolytic disease of the NEWBORN, which typically presents as neonatal jaundice. It does not cause significant hemolysis in the fetus and is not considered a primary cause of spontaneous abortion.
Option D: This option is incorrect because a valid cause of abortion is listed among the choices.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causes of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in preventing infection-related miscarriages through patient education during antenatal care. This includes counseling on food safety to prevent Listeria, hygiene, and avoiding exposure to known infectious agents like cat feces (Toxoplasmosis).
Screening for infections, such as the TORCH panel or testing for sexually transmitted infections, is a key part of prenatal care, especially in high-risk women or those with a history of pregnancy loss.
Recognizing and promptly treating maternal infections during pregnancy is critical to reduce the risk of fetal complications, including miscarriage.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that asks you to identify a cause of abortion from the given options.
First, analyze the question: 'Which of the following can cause abortion?'.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of obstetrics.
Consider Option A, 'Medicine'. This is a very broad category. While some medicines do cause abortion, many do not. It's a possible but imprecise answer.
Consider Option B, 'Infection'. Recall that maternal infections are a well-documented cause of miscarriage.
Consider Option C, 'ABO incompatibility'. Remember that this condition primarily affects the newborn (causing jaundice) and is not a major cause of fetal loss during pregnancy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pathology-Vandana Puri & Kavita Gaur Textbook of Pathology and Genetics p. 523-525

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