2. DR. NIRANJAN CHAVAN
MD, FCPS, DGO, MICOG, DICOG, FICOG, DFP,
DIPLOMA IN ENDOSCOPY (USA)
Professor And Unit Chief, L.T.M.M.C&L.T.M.G.H, Sion Hospital
National Co-ordinator, FOGSI Medical in Pregnancy Committee (2019-
2021)
Chairperson, FOGSI Oncology & TT Committee (2012-2014)
Secretary MOGS (2019-2020), Premises Secretary, AFG (2019-2020)
Chair & Convenor, FOGSI Cell Violence Against Doctors (2015-2016)
Dean and Chairman, Academia of Global Obstetrician &
Gynaecologists
Chief Editors, AFG Times (2015-2016)
Course Coordinator of 11 batches Of MUHS recognised
Certificate Course of B.I.M.I.E at L.T.M.G.H (2010-2016)
Member, Oncology Committee AOFOG (2013-2015)
Member, Managing Committee, IAGE (2013-2017), (2018-2020)
Editorial Board, European Journal of Gynaec. Oncology (Italy)
Course Coordinator of 3 batches 0f Advanced Minimal Access
Gynaec Surgery (AMAS) at LTMGH (2018 -2019)
3. “………I recall nothing which in times past has caused me
more anxiety and doubt,
or
in regard to which I have found it more difficult to get
any satisfactory rules from books,
than the treatment of
Abortion.”
- T. G. Thomas (1908)
4. What are the common questions asked by
RPL patients?
5. PATIENTS QUESTIONS
Why did it
happened ?
Will it happen
again ?
How it can be
avoided ?
Could have been
avoided ?
7. • Spontaneous pregnancy loss is, in fact, the most common
complication of pregnancy
• About 70% of human conceptions fail to achieve viability
• estimated 50% are lost before the first missed menstrual
period
• Most of preg. Losses are unrecognized.
• Actual rate of preg. Loss after implantation is 31%(by hCG
assay)
• Clinically recognized, loss occurs in 15% before 20wks of
gestation.
8. SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS
• Normal population
• Chromosomal abnormality --- 50%
• Trisomic --------------------- 56%
• Polyploid -------------------- 20%
• Monosomic for chromosome X-- 18%
• Unbalanced translocations ------ 4%
10. • Definition : 3 or more clinically recognized pregnancy
losses before 20wks from LMP.
• Incidence: 1/300
11. • Primary recurrent pregnancy loss refers to couples that
have never had a live birth
• while "secondary RPL" refers to those who have had
repetitive losses following a successful pregnancy
16. EARLY PREGNANCY FAILURE ( EPF)
• Anembryonic Pregnancy :
• Trophoblast has invaded the decidua
• Embryonic disc not developed/ resorbed after loss
of viability
• Embryonic / Fetal demise:
• Embryonic disc developed :: loss of viability
• USG : Emb pole> 5mm without cardiac activity
17. • On ultrasound do we have any milestones by which we
can predict the outcome?
18. THRESHOLD ???
• MSD
• 20 mm without yolk sac
• 25mm without embryo :
• TAS : anembryonic pregnancy
• Rate of increase in MSD : parameter
• < 0.6 mm/day
• Increase of <3 mm over 5 days
• Increase of < 4 mm over 7 days
20. • Clinical Investigation should be started after two
consecutive spontaneous abortions, especially
• When fetal heart activity had been identified prior to
the pregnancy loss
• when the women is older than 35 yrs of age
• when the couple has had difficulty conceiving
21. Are there any biochemical markers to predict the
outcome?
31. RCOG GUIDELINES
Recurrent pregnancy loss may be due to an abnormal
embryo, which is incompatible with life.
As the number of miscarriages increases, the prevalence of
chromosomal abnormality decreases
If the karyotype of the miscarried pregnancy is abnormal,
there is a better prognosis in the next pregnancy.
karyotyping the products of conception provides useful
information for counseling and future management.
32. SUBSEQUENT
PREGNANCY ACCORDING
TO KARYOTYPE OF
ABORTUS
37.8%
38%
67%
62%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Euploidy Aneuploidy
Carp
Ogasawara
14/37 14/2127/71 37/60
O.R. for a live birth after
aneuploidic abortion.
3.28 (95% CI = 0.94-
11.9) Carp et al
2.62 (95% CI = 1.21-
5.67) Ogasawa et al
33. GENETIC COUNSELING
AFTER A MISCARRIAGE
• In all couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage
cytogenetic analysis of the products of conception
should be performed if the next pregnancy fails.
37. Robertsonian translocations
occur when two chromosomes fuse
together, creating one
chromosome that contains most of
the original two.
(45 chromosomes with one variant)
Translocations
Reciprocal translocations
occur when two different
chromosomes exchange segments.
(46 chromosomes with two variants)
38. ROBERTSONIAN
TRANSLOCATION
• Robertsonian translocations between chromosomes 14 and 21,
one of the most common combinations, are of particular clinical
relevance. An individual with this translocation could have a
child with three copies of chromosome 21, resulting in Down’s
syndrome (trisomy 21).
39. NON DISJUNCTION
• Non disjunction occurs when chromosomes fail to "disjoin"
during meiosis or mitosis.
40. NON DISJUNCTION DURING
MITOSIS
The incidence of trisomies increases with
age. Trisomy 16, which accounts for 30% of
all trisomies, is the most common. All
chromosome trisomies have been reported
in abortuses except for trisomy 1.
41. DELETIONS
Deletions are fragments of chromosomes that are
missing. They are usually lethal when homozygous
and cause abnormalities when heterozygous.
▪ Cri du Chat Syndrome
Cri du chat syndrome is due to a deletion of a
portion of chromosome 5. Cri du chat individuals
are mentally retarded.
"Cri du chat" is French for "cry of the cat". The infants
cry sounds like a cat.
42. COUNSELING
• Cytogenetic data
• In balanced translocation there is 5-10% chance of
pregnancy with unbalanced translocation
• Important to evaluate : carriers : >70% LBR.
• Possibility of PGD
43. • All couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage should
have peripheral blood karyotyping performed. The
finding of an abnormal parental karyotype should
prompt referral to a clinical geneticist.
Genetic counseling after a
miscarriage
44. CASE 2
• 28 years old Mrs. XYZ married since 6 years G4P1L0A3
• Obstetric history:
G1 - Preterm stillbirth at 7ma abruption
G2 - Missed abortion at 6 weeks
G3 - Missed abortion at 8 weeks
G4 - Spont. Abortion at 8 weeks
45. • MENSTRUAL HISTORY:
4-5/28 Regular, Moderate, Painless
• MEDICAL HISTORY:
History of childhood Asthma
History of DM and HT in family
50. RCOG GUIDELINES FOR TORCH
• For an infective agent to be implicated in the aetiology
of repeated pregnancy loss, it must be capable of
persisting in the genital tract and avoiding detection or
must cause insufficient symptoms to disturb the
women.
• Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes and
listeria infections do not fulfill these criteria and routine
TORCH screening should be abandoned.
51. INFECTIONS & RECURRENT
PREGNANCY LOSS
• Tuberculosis
• Listeriosis
• Bacterial vaginosis
• TORCH infections
• Chlamydiae
• Syphilis
• Mycoplasmas
Note : Late rather than early abortions
Doubtful role of antibiotic prophylaxis
52. GENITAL TUBERCULOSIS AND
RPL
Genital tuberculosis ?
Latent GTB
Immunological Basis-
↑ Cytokines; ↑ Th1 : Th2 i.e changes ratio of cytokines
towards an increase in abortogenic milieu
Implantation failure-
due to fibrosis & inflamation
55. CHARACTER OF PREGNANCY LOSS
Typical presentation is growth retardation probably
leading to fetal death in the second or third trimesters
(Lockshin, 1993).
APS in 10% of unselected patients with RPL (Tincani et al
1987)
APS in 30% (Drakely et al 1998) of patients with
recurrent second trimester pregnancy loss.
59. ROLE OF IVIG IN RPL
• 45% of miscarriages and 95% of late pregnancy losses
from women experiencing RPL are chromosomally
normal.
• Large data suggestive of the causes being
immunological.
60. IMMUNOTHERAPY
• Passive, with immunoglobulin
• NK Cells down-regulated by IVIG
(Ruiz et al, 1996)
• Down regulation associated with improved outcome
• Cytokine balance altered by IVIG
(Bakimer, et al, 2000)
63. Thrombophilia Nonpregnant
Risk of DVT
Method of testing
Factor V Leiden
(G1691A)
3 to 8 fold DNA analysis
Factor II
Prothrombin (20210A)
3 fold DNA analysis
Protein S deficiency 2 fold Activity assay
Antithrombin deficiency 25 to 50 fold Activity assay
Protein C deficiency 10 to 15 fold Activity assay
Acquired activated
Protein C resistance
1.7 fold Anti coagulant response
With activated protein C
MTHFR
(C677t or A1298C)
Questionable Fasting homocysteine
If +ve DNA testing
Acquired
hyperhomocysteinemia
2.5 to 4 fold Fasting homocysteine
Ormethionine loading
65. CASE 3
• 35 yrs, A3 with history of previous 3 missed abortions
• A1- 8 weeks missed abortion
• A2- 7 wks missed aboretion
• A3-10 wks missed abortion
66. INVESTIGATIONS
• Hb - 10 gm%
• Urine R/M-N
• LFT, RFT - N
• VDRL, HIV -ve
• Bl gr - O +ve, husband - B +ve
• Day 2 progesterone levels- 2ng/ml
• Day 8 progesterone level—8.7ng/ml
67. • Endometrial biopsy done which was suggestive of
endometrial lag of >3 days
• USG suggestive of lack of endometrial echogenicity on 7th
postovulatory day and leutinised unruptured follicle and
leuteal cyst formation
68. • What is luteal phase defect?
• Diagnostic criteria for leuteal phase defect?
• Role of progesterone and HCG?
• Other hormonal defects to cause RPL?
77. CASE 4
• 29 year old Mrs. X working as computer
professional married since last 5 years
• History of primary infertility, K/c/o PCOS, conceived
after ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate
and IUI
78. • Past obstetric history - G3P0L0A3
G1 - Missed abortion at 2 ma
2 years back
G2 - Spont. Ab at 3 ma 1 year back
G3 - Spont. Ab at 3 ma 6 months back
• Menstrual History
4-5/30 Regular, moderate, painful
79. INVESTIGATIONS
• Hb - 9.8 gm%
• Urine R/M - NAD
• FBS - 92 mg%, PLBS - 104 mg%
• RFT, LFT - WNL,
• Pap smear - N
• XRC - NAD
• HSA- 20 million per cc, 60- 70% motility
80. USG
• Uterus: Anterior wall intramural fibroid measuring
1.5 X 1.2 cm,
• Submucosal fibroid from posterior wall
2.1 X 2.2 cm
• ET - 7 mm
• Rt Ovary - N
• Lt Ovary clear cyst 3 X 4 cm,
• POD - N
81. • AUTOIMMUNE PROFILE:
Platelets - 2 lacs, BT CT - N, LA - N,
ACL-N
• Diagnostic Laparoscopic findings -
Uterus - N
Rt. Ovary - N
Lt. Ovary - cyst,
B/L Fallopian tubes - patent
98. Dr Shirodkar said that
cerclage is for “women
who abort repeatedly
between the forth and
seventh month… where
one can by repeated
internal
examinations…find that
the cervix is gradually
yielding”
99. CONCLUSION
• Cerclage is beneficial in 2 or more STL/PTB
• Beneficial if cervical length is 15mm or less or
internal os > 5 mm
• Not useful in twins or placenta previa
100. CERCLAGE
NOMENCLATURE
Old nomenclature New nomenclature
- Prophylactic-Elective - History indicated
- Therapeutic-Salvage - Ultrasound indicated
- Rescue-Emergency - Physical examination
- Urgent - Combined
104. ROLE OF NK CELLS
• RPL: high activity of NK cells at the uterine lining as
well as peripheral blood
• NK cells lead to release of pro-inflammatory
cytokines.
• These lead to placental blood vessel clotting and
subsequent pregnancy loss.
• CD8 type T cells Th2 cytokines are protective against
NK cytokine-dependent miscarriage.
105. • How does the fetus escape rejection by NK
cells??
106. • Following trophoblastic invasion the fetal semi-
allograft induces PgR in γ/δ T cells.
• This enhances the interaction with high levels of
progesterone
• Progesterone causes expression of PIBF
107. PIBF
• Inhibits
• NK-cell cytologic activity
• Th1 cytokines(IL2 and interferon γ )
• Favors
• Th2 cytokines(IL4, IL5 and IL10)
• This inhibits cellular immune response and
promotes humoral response
108. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
• Much less PIBF expression was found in women
who eventually lost their pregnancies than in
healthy pregnant women*
• However no such difference was found in aborters
or non-aborters in patients aggressively treated
with progesterone **
* Liddell HS et al * * Brigham SA et al
109. DIFFICULTIES…..
• Determining the role of progesterone in
preventing RPL is difficult due to difficulty in
determining who has progesterone deficiency
• When does the problem start ??? Luteal phase or
will the need of progesterone increase with
advancement of pregnancy
110. SPECTRUM THEORY ???
• The spectrum of progesterone deficiency
• Prevention of embryonic implantation
• Early loss : chemical pregnancy
• Blighted ovum
• Viable but missed before 1st trimester
• 2nd trimester loss
• Preterm delivery
111. BENEFITS OF
PROGESTERONE
It is better to treat a woman with a benign treatment that
is later found not to be effective than not treat her, have
her miscarry and later find studies showing unequivocally
that with such treatment definitely reduces the risk of
miscarriage.
-Shulman (2008 yearbook)
113. INTERVENTION : HCG
• HCG is the hormone responsible for CL support
in early pregnancy
• If pregnancy is failing levels of HCG may be low
resulting in low progesterone.
• Rather than giving progestrone HCG could be
used directly in order to stimulate natural
hormone to reduce ab normal fetal effects.
114. EVIDENCE
Study Treatment Control Odds ratio
Quenby &
Farquharson
6/41 10/39 0.39(0.13-1.20)
Svigos 1/13 9/15 0.11(0.02-0.05)
Harrison 0/10 7/10 0.05(0.01-0.32)
Harrison 6/36 8/31 0.58(0.18-1.87)
Total 13/95 34/85 0.26(0.14-0.52)
• Early smaller studies showed HCG to be beneficial
• Larger trials : weaknesses
HCG v/s placebo for recurrent miscarriages :
miscarriages per treated pregnancy
115. • HCG is not a panacea to all patients of RPL
• Beneficial in particular group
• How to diagnose these patients?
• irregular cycles : more benefits
• HCG or Pr : HCG more natural
116. COMPARISON OF PROTOCOLS
Investigation/ treatment RCOG ACOG ESHRE
Progesterone/
HCG supplement ---insufficient evidence---
Bacterial vaginosis ---insufficient evidence---
Thrombophilias ---insufficient evidence---
Anticoagulant for ---insufficient evidence---
Thrombophilia
TFTs NR NR R
OGCT NR NR R
TORCH NR NR NR
Immunotherapy NR NR insuf.evidence
120. EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT
RPL 3
Factor Diagnostic
Evaluation
Abnorma
l result
Therapy
Thrombophili
c
Factor V Leiden
Prothrombin gene
Fasting homocysteine
Antithrombin activity?
Protein C activity?
Protein S activity?
8-12%? Low
molecular
weight or
fractionated
Heparin
Folic acid
Microbiologic Endometrial
biopsy
Cervical /vaginal
cultures?
8-10 % Antibiotics
121. EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT
RPL 4
Factor Diagnostic
Evaluation
Abnormal
result
Therapy
Psychologic Mental status
evaluation
Support group
Counseling
psychiatrist
Iatrogenic Review tobacco
,alcohol, caffeine
use
Review exposure to
toxins,chemicals
5% Genetic
counseling
Donor gametes
PGD