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Biomedical subjects

H K Atrash

Publications and source records attributed to H K Atrash.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Fatal pulmonary embolism during legal induced abortion in the United States from 1972 to 1985.

To determine the risk factors for abortion-related deaths caused by pulmonary embolism, we investigated all deaths from legal abortions in the United States from 1972 through 1985. Of 213 deaths, 45 (21%) were due to air, blood clot, or amniotic fluid embolism. The risk of embolism death was higher among minority women and older women (34 to 44 years). Our analysis revealed that curettage at less than or equal to 21 weeks and abortions at less than or equal to 12 weeks, regardless of method, were both associated with the least risk of embolism death. In comparing 1972 to 1978 and 1979 to 1985, we found that the embolism mortality rate decreased 79%. During 1979 to 1985, the number of abortions performed by noncurettage methods decreased 58%, possibly as a result of earlier abortion morbidity studies, which showed that these methods carried a greater risk of complications. Although a decrease in mortality rates may be partially attributable to the declining use of these methods, our analysis suggests that changes in methods over time have not been universally applied to all racial groups.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1990

The effect of pregnancy termination on future reproduction.

A variety of conditions have been anecdotally ascribed to induced abortion, including subsequent reproductive complications. Since most women obtaining induced abortions are at the beginning of their reproductive life, the effect of induced abortion on subsequent reproduction becomes a very significant one. Our review of the literature confirms findings reported previously. First, except in the case where an infection complicates induced abortion, there is no evidence of an association between induced abortion and secondary infertility or ectopic pregnancy. Second, the risk of midtrimester abortion, premature delivery and low birthweight in women whose first pregnancy is terminated by vacuum aspiration is not higher than that in women in their first pregnancy or women in their second pregnancy whose first pregnancy was carried to term. However, the risk of having a premature delivery or a low birthweight baby tends to be higher (but not significantly) among women whose first pregnancy is terminated by induced abortion when compared with women in their second pregnancy than when compared with women in their first pregnancy. This suggests that an induced abortion does not protect a women against the known risk of low birthweight for first-born offspring. Finally, women whose pregnancy is terminated by dilatation and evacuation may have an increased risk of subsequent premature delivery and a low birthweight baby. Very little has been published and no conclusions can be made regarding the effects of instillation procedures and repeat abortions on future reproduction. In conclusion, except for the association between pregnancies following dilatation and evacuation procedures and premature delivery and low birthweight, no significantly increased risk of adverse reproductive health has been observed following induced abortion.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1990

Obstetrical pulmonary embolism mortality, United States, 1970-85.

To investigate pulmonary embolism as a cause of obstetrical death, vital records data from 1970 through 1985 were analyzed. Results showed that the number of obstetrical pulmonary embolism deaths per 100,000 live births declined by 50 percent for both Whites and Blacks. However, Black women maintained more than a 2.5-fold higher risk, and women over age 40 had a ten-fold higher risk of embolism mortality. Thus, although the risk of obstetrical pulmonary embolism death has declined, some subgroups of women remain at higher risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Abortion surveillance, 1986-1987.

Since 1980, the number of legal abortions reported to CDC has remained fairly stable, varying each year by less than 3%. In 1986, 1,328,112 abortions were reported; in 1987, that number increased by approximately 2% to 1,353,671. The abortion ratio for 1986 was 354 legally induced abortions per 1,000 live births; the ratio for 1987 was 356 per 1,000. The national abortion rate was 23/1,000 females ages 15-44 years for 1986 and 24/1,000 females ages 15-44 years in 1987. Abortion ratios were higher among women of black and other minority races and among women less than 15 years of age. Women undergoing legally induced abortions tended 1) to be young, white, and unmarried, 2) to have had no previous live births, and 3) to be having the procedure for the first time. In 1987, approximately half of all abortions were performed before the eighth week of gestation, and greater than 85% were performed during the first trimester of pregnancy (less than 13 weeks of gestation).

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1990

Ectopic pregnancy surveillance, United States, 1970-1987.

In 1987, both the rate of hospitalizations due to ectopic pregnancy and the number of women hospitalized increased from those reported in 1986. Although ectopic pregnancy represented 1.7% of all pregnancies in 1987, complications of this condition accounted for 12% of all maternal deaths in that year. The case-fatality rate was 3.4 deaths per 10,000 ectopic pregnancies, a decline of 30% from the rate of 4.9 deaths reported in 1986, and a 90% decline from the 35.5 deaths per 10,000 ectopic pregnancies reported in 1970. Although the racial gap decreased slightly in 1987, the risk of ectopic pregnancy remained 1.4 times higher for women of black and other minority races than for white women. The risk of death from this condition remained 1.8 times higher for women of black and other minority races.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Maternal mortality in the United States, 1979-1986.

To understand better the epidemiology and to describe the causes of maternal death, we reviewed all identified maternal deaths in the United States and Puerto Rico for 1979-1986. The overall maternal mortality ratio for the period was 9.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. The ratios increased with age and were higher among women of black and other minority races than among white women for all age groups. The causes of death varied for different outcomes of pregnancy; pulmonary embolism was the leading cause of death after a live birth. Unmarried women had a higher risk of death than married women. The risk of death increased with increasing live-birth order, except for primiparas. In order to develop strategies to reduce the risk of maternal death in the United States, future studies should include expanded information about each death, which will allow better understanding of factors associated with maternal mortality.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1989

Pregnancy-associated deaths due to AIDS in the United States.

From 1981 to 1988, eighty percent of all women with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reported to the Centers for Disease Control were of reproductive age. Six pregnancy-associated deaths due to AIDS in this country have been reported in the medical literature. We identified 20 unpublished cases of women who died of AIDS during or within one year after termination of pregnancy. Analysis showed that these women were mostly black or Hispanic, half were intravenous drug abusers, and most died of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Each pregnancy had an obstetric complication, primarily preterm delivery. The interval between diagnosis of AIDS and the death of these women ranged from one day to 15 months, with a mean interval of 113 days. Multiple reporting sources increased case detection and should be used for future investigations. Prospective case-control studies are needed to determine any further relationship between pregnancy complications and AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Ectopic pregnancy in the United States, 1970-1986.

In 1986, both the rate of hospitalizations due to ectopic pregnancy and the number of hospitalizations decreased from those reported in the previous year, although the decreases were not statistically significant. If this leveling off of previous yearly increases becomes a continuing trend, possible explanatory hypotheses include a leveling off of disease occurrence, and an increasing use of outpatient management. The case-fatality rate rose slightly in 1986, to 4.9 deaths per 10,000 ectopic pregnancies, although this rate still represents an 86% decline from the 35.5 deaths per 10,000 ectopic pregnancies reported in 1970. In 1986, ectopic pregnancy accounted for only 1.4% of all pregnancies but was associated with over 13% of maternal deaths. Compared with white women, women of black and other minority races had a 1.6 times greater risk of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy remains one of the leading causes of maternal death in the United States and continues to be an important public health problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Abortion surveillance, United States, 1984-1985.

Since 1983, the number of legal abortions reported to CDC increased by 5% to 1,333,521 in 1984; in 1985, that number decreased by less than 1% to 1,328,570. The national abortion rate was the same for both years-24 per 1,000 females ages 15-44 years. The abortion ratio for 1984 was 364 legally induced abortions per 1,000 live births; the ratio for 1985 was 354 per 1,000. Abortion ratios were higher among women of black and other minority races and among women younger than 15 years of age. Women undergoing legally induced abortions tended 1) to be young, white, and unmarried, 2) to have had no previous live births, and 3) to be having the procedure for the first time. Curettage was the procedure used in 96% of the reported cases. Eleven deaths were associated with legally induced abortions in 1984, and six in 1985. The case-fatality rate in 1985 was 0.5 deaths per 100,000 legally induced abortions, down from the 0.8 per 100,000 reported in 1983 and 1984. Overall, since 1980, the numbers and rates of abortion have had only slight year-to-year fluctuations. The steady increase in the percentage of repeat abortions since 1972 reflects the ongoing availability of legal abortions. Since the beginning of CDC's abortion mortality surveillance, the number of deaths related to legal abortions has decreased 75%, from 24 deaths in 1972 to six deaths in 1985.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1988

Legal abortion mortality and general anesthesia.

Legal abortion-related mortality as reported to the Centers for Disease Control declined eightfold between 1972 and 1981. However, the causes of legal abortion mortality have changed over time. We reviewed all legal abortion-related deaths that occurred between 1972 and 1985 in the United States. We found that, although the absolute number of legal abortion-related deaths caused by general anesthesia complications did not increase, the proportion of such deaths increased significantly, from 7.7% between 1972 and 1975 to 29.4% between 1980 and 1985. Women who died of general anesthesia complications did not differ by age, presence of preexisting medical conditions, or type of facility from women who died of other causes. However, the proportion of deaths from general anesthesia complications was significantly higher among women of black and other races, women obtaining abortions during the first trimester, and women obtaining abortions in the Northeast. Our results indicate that at least 23 of the 27 deaths were due to hypoventilation and/or loss of airway resulting in hypoxia. Persons administering general anesthesia for abortion must be skilled in airway management as well as the provision of general anesthesia.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1988

Maternal mortality surveillance, United States, 1980-1985.

To better define the incidence, causes, and risk factors associated with maternal deaths, the Division of Reproductive Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC, coordinated a study by the Maternal Mortality Collaborative, a Special Interest Group of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In 1983, this group established voluntary surveillance of maternal deaths for the years 1980-1985. The Maternal Mortality Collaborative reported 601 maternal deaths from 19 reporting areas for 1980-1985, representing a maternal mortality ratio of 14.1 per 100,000 live births. Overall, 39% more maternal deaths were reported by the Maternal Mortality Collaborative than by the National Center for Health Statistics for these reporting areas. Overall, women over 30 years of age had a higher risk of dying than did younger women. For each age group, women of black and other races who were 30 years and older having the highest risk. The leading causes of maternal deaths were embolism, hypertension in pregnancy, sequelae from ectopic pregnancy, hemorrhage, cerebrovascular accidents, and anesthesia complications. Of the 111 nonmaternal deaths, 90 (82%) were attributed to unintentional or intentional injuries. As a result of the success of this voluntary reporting system, the Division of Reproductive Health initiated National Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance in January 1988.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Ectopic pregnancy surveillance, United States, 1970-1985.

Ectopic pregnancy is now one of the leading causes of maternal death in the United States. In 1984 and 1985, both the numbers and rates of ectopic pregnancy increased. Since the rate of ectopic pregnancy remained unchanged for white women, the rate increase appears to be driven by the increasing rate among women of black and other races. Although ectopic pregnancies accounted for only 1.5% of the total pregnancies in 1984 and 1985, they accounted for 14% of the total maternal deaths in 1984 and for 11% of those deaths in 1985. However, the case-fatality rate for 1985 decreased to 4.2/10,000 ectopic pregnancies, down from the 35.5 deaths/10,000 ectopic pregnancies reported in 1970. Several factors may contribute to the increase in ectopic pregnancies, including heightened awareness of the condition, improved diagnostic technology, and possibly the higher prevalence of risk factors (e.g., acute and chronic salpingitis and sexually transmitted diseases) and the lower prevalence of protective factors (e.g., decreased use of oral contraceptives). Heightened awareness of the condition and improved technology may also be factors resulting in the decreased case-fatality rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Maternal mortality in the United States: report from the Maternal Mortality Collaborative.

To better define the incidence, causes, and risk factors associated with maternal deaths, the Maternal Mortality Collaborative in 1983 initiated national voluntary surveillance of maternal mortality. The Maternal Mortality Collaborative reported 601 maternal deaths from 19 reporting areas for 1980-1985, representing a maternal mortality ratio of 14.1 per 100,000 live births. Overall, 37% more maternal deaths were reported by the Maternal Mortality Collaborative than by the National Center for Health Statistics for these reporting areas. Older women and women of black and other races continued to have higher mortality than younger women and white women. The five most common causes of death for all reported cases were embolism, nonobstetric injuries, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, and obstetric hemorrhage. Compared with national maternal mortality for 1974-1978, ratios were lower for all causes except for indirect causes, anesthesia, and cerebrovascular accidents. Fatal injuries among pregnant women are not commonly reported to maternal mortality committees. As maternal mortality from direct obstetric causes continues to decline, clinicians will need to emphasize preventing deaths from nonobstetric causes.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1987

Legal abortion mortality in the United States: 1972 to 1982.

Between 1972 and 1982, 186 women died as a result of legal abortion in the United States. The overall death rate resulting from legal abortion dropped nearly fivefold, from 4.1 per 100,000 abortions in 1972 to 0.8 in 1982. Women who were older, black, of high parity, and had abortions at a later gestational age were at increased risk of death throughout the 11 years of surveillance. During this period, the death rate decreased for abortions at all stages of gestation; the greatest decrease was with abortions performed during the second trimester. For the entire interval, mortality rates were highest for abortions performed by hysterotomy or hysterectomy and lowest for abortions performed by curettage. Before 1977, the most common causes of abortion-related death were infection, hemorrhage, and general anesthesia complications, respectively. Thereafter, hemorrhage became the most common cause of abortion-related death, followed in number by general anesthesia complications. Our findings suggest that there has been a marked decrease in septic legal abortion deaths, but potentially preventable deaths from general anesthesia and hemorrhage remain an important concern. Use of general anesthetics during first-trimester abortions should be carefully reviewed.

Abortion, Legal↗