PIP:

In 1992 in Israel, a woman in whom a missed early abortion (blighted ovum) was diagnosed underwent a dilatation and curettage procedure during the seventh week of pregnancy. When it was determined that the pregnancy was not terminated, it was allowed to continue until week 24 when suspected severe intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) led to induction of labor and delivery of a female fetus with severe asymmetric IUGR, no congenital abnormalities, and a normal skeleton. Four other cases of failed pregnancy interruption between 1991 and 1994 ended in the delivery of normal infants at weeks 37, 39, and 40, and fetal death complicated by the development of a hydatidiform mole. Most cases of failed induced abortion occur in early abortions, and most women will return for another procedure. In most cases of failed abortion, damage to the placenta will result in damage to the fetus. The most likely cause of IUGR in the case described above was vascular disruption of the placenta due to the curettage. These rare occurrences of failed induced abortion are associated with a high emotional, physical, and legal cost.