Induced abortion

The CMA''s position on induced abortion is as follows: [List: see text]     

Habitual abortion

Habitual abortion should be defined as the spontaneous sequential loss of three or more pre-viable pregnancies. The incidence and etiology of spontaneous single and repeated, sequential abortion are discussed. The theoretical role of the various hormones in the treatment of abortion is examined. The modes of therapy now in effect are reviewed and their probable value estimated. Preconceptual therapy of the wife and husband for the successful salvage of a viable infant following previous sequential abortion is recommended. Logical postconceptual and emergency therapy is outlined for the patient who is an habitual aborter.A critical view of previous and present methods of study and treatment of habitual abortion is expressed.     

The abortion issue

The capsular type of 160 strains of pneumococci isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid of patients in Alberta and Ontario between June 1978 and August 1980 was determined. Of the 83 known serotypes 36 were represented, and the type distribution was similar to that reported from the United Kingdom and the United States. Although only 111 (69.3%) of the strains belonged to the serotypes represented in the licensed pneumococcal vaccine, if related types within the same serogroup are also included 132 (82.5%) of the strains belonged to the types or groups represented in the vaccine, However, because the vaccine is not recommended for persons aged less than 2 years, from whom 30 strains were isolated, and because 28 strains from those 2 years of age and older were of nonvaccine types or groups, one can presume that 58 (36.3%) of the 160 bacteremic and meningitic infections would not have been prevented by prior vaccination, even if the vaccine were completely effective.