Article Text
Summary
Abortion may be performed in a safe or unsafe manner, the latter being a frequent and dangerous event. It can also be performed in countries where abortion is legally recognised but, for various reasons, may be undertaken in an illegal environment. We present a case of a possible illegal abortion. A woman presented to the hospital with a dead fetus, saying that she was the victim of a car accident. Forensic and gynaecological examination of the woman were carried out, along with an autopsy of the fetus. It was discovered that the woman had performed a clandestine abortion. The differential diagnosis between illegal abortion and miscarriage represents a complicated issue and requires both clinical and forensic support. The gynaecologist may be of assistance to the forensic pathologist in confirming whether an illegal abortion has been performed.
- obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility
- abortion
- pregnancy
- materno-fetal medicine
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Footnotes
Contributors We wish to explain the role of each author in the preparation of this paper: IA is the forensic pathologist and the official responsible for the case. She performed the autopsy, conceived the idea and managed the whole preparation of the paper. RP contributed through the interpretation of the data. MR is the gynaecologist and contributed through the interpretation of the data. GS collaborated with IA in the preparation of the paper.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.