Retrospective clinical evaluation of indications for termination of pregnancies due to fetal anomaly

OBJECTIVE: To assess the indications for termination of pregnancy (TOP) in pregnant patients who were followed up with suspicion of fetal anomaly in a Turkish tertiary referral center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out in patients who were followed up with suspicion of fetal anomaly between May 2016 and May 2019 at the Perinatology Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in Pamukkale University Hospital, which is a tertiary hospital in Denizli province in Turkey. Women were divided into two depending on gestational period: group 1 ≤22 weeks; and group 2 (>23 weeks of gestation). RESULTS: Four hundred and seventeen pregnant women were evaluated and TOP was performed at a mean gestational age of 27.7±6.3 weeks. There were 308 (73.8%) women in group 1 and 109 (26.2%) in group 2. The decision to terminate pregnancy was due to fetal anomaly in 117 (28.1%). The majority of termination pregnancies in group 2 were performed because of multiple malformations and/or central nervous system defects. All chromosomal diseases were detected in group 1. CONCLUSION: With a good perinatal screening program, fetal anomalies can be diagnosed early. Therefore, early TOP is possible. Thus, pregnancy termination can be made before reaching the life limit.