Two years ago we wrote that the language culture of early pregnancy
loss cannot be changed without a change in the medical literature. We
advised that editors of medical journals should ensure that the word
abortion is avoided when referring to spontaneous pregnancy 1. This
miscarriage terminology is recommended by the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and is increasing used in the medical
literature 2. The editorial on the subject of risks of having children in
later life3 conformed to the recommended terminology but unfortunately the
term spontaneous abortion was used throughout the article on maternal age
and fetal loss4. No doubt the Danish authors were not aware of the English
language recommendation which is why we advised responsibility be taken by
journal editors. The article used spontaneous abortion no less than 55
times. If nothing more, adoption of the word miscarriage would have
shortened the article by 55 words.
David J R Hutchon
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
References.
1. Hutchon D J R, Cooper S. Terminology for early pregnancy loss
must be changed. BMJ 1998;317:1081
2. Jurkovic D, Ross J A, Nicolaides K H. Expectant management of
missed miscarriage. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1998:105:670-671
3. Stein Z, Susser M. The risk of having children in later life. BMJ
2000;320:1681-1682
4. Anderson A N, Wohlfahrt J, Christens P, Olsen J, Melbye M.
Maternal age and fetal loss: population based register linkage study. BMJ
2000;320:1708-1712
Rapid Response:
Terminology for early pregnancy loss.
Sir,
Terminology for early pregnancy loss.
Two years ago we wrote that the language culture of early pregnancy
loss cannot be changed without a change in the medical literature. We
advised that editors of medical journals should ensure that the word
abortion is avoided when referring to spontaneous pregnancy 1. This
miscarriage terminology is recommended by the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and is increasing used in the medical
literature 2. The editorial on the subject of risks of having children in
later life3 conformed to the recommended terminology but unfortunately the
term spontaneous abortion was used throughout the article on maternal age
and fetal loss4. No doubt the Danish authors were not aware of the English
language recommendation which is why we advised responsibility be taken by
journal editors. The article used spontaneous abortion no less than 55
times. If nothing more, adoption of the word miscarriage would have
shortened the article by 55 words.
David J R Hutchon
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
References.
1. Hutchon D J R, Cooper S. Terminology for early pregnancy loss
must be changed. BMJ 1998;317:1081
2. Jurkovic D, Ross J A, Nicolaides K H. Expectant management of
missed miscarriage. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1998:105:670-671
3. Stein Z, Susser M. The risk of having children in later life. BMJ
2000;320:1681-1682
4. Anderson A N, Wohlfahrt J, Christens P, Olsen J, Melbye M.
Maternal age and fetal loss: population based register linkage study. BMJ
2000;320:1708-1712
Competing interests: No competing interests