BMJ  2005;331:121-122 (16 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7509.121

Editorial

Investigation of recurrent miscarriages

A successful pregnancy is the most likely outcome

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Human reproduction is hopelessly inefficient. The maximum probability of conceiving during a menstrual cycle is only about 40%. One third of conceptions do not result in the delivery of a baby.^1-3 But this inefficient process produces astoundingly good outcomes. The vast majority of continuing pregnancies result in the birth of a healthy human being who will, eventually, pass his or her genes on to the next generation. Miscarriages—clinically detectable pregnancies that fail to progress—are the inevitable byproduct of such a process. They are common and often remain unexplained, even after investigation. They are a source of distress for women and their partners. When a woman has had two or more miscarriages, she is likely to seek professional help, in the hope that a cause and a cure will be found.

Because 10-15% of clinically recognised pregnancies end in miscarriage, and because most women who have one, two, or even . . . [Full text of this article]

Department of Clinical Genetics, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT
(fred.kavalier@gstt.nhs.uk)

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