prognosis

Last reviewed 09/2023

The prognosis of a threatened miscarriage is best assessed with an ultrasound scan.

Adverse prognostic factors include:

• large empty gestational sac
• discrepancy between gestational age and crown to rump length
• fetal bradycardia or absence of fetal heart activity at presentation
• advanced maternal age
• history of recurrent pregnancy loss
• maternal serum progesterone < 45 nmol/l or low maternal serum hCG or inhibin A (1).

Fetal heart activity and the absence of above mentioned factors are considered as favourable prognostic factors (1).

Approximately 75% of pregnancies continue.

Reference:

• (1) Sotiriadis A et al. Threatened miscarriage: evaluation and management. BMJ. 2004; 329(7458):152–155