Seasonal Effect on Pregnancy Loss Rates in Humans

Woodworth, Steven H.; Singh, Manvinder; Sanfilippo, Joseph S.; Yussman, Marvin A.

doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1994.tb30399.x

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…8 Our results are not consistent with a study of 987 women undergoing fertility treatment in Kentucky, where spontaneous abortion risk followed a bimodal pattern, with peaks in March and December. 9 However, the etiology of spontaneous abortion may differ between women undergoing fertility treatment and women conceiving spontaneously, which could explain the observed differences.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8 However, among women recruited from a fertility clinic in Kentucky, there was a bimodal annual pattern, with peaks in May and December. 9 Studies that rely on case ascertainment in a clinical setting likely miss the majority of spontaneous abortions, which often occur early in gestation, sometimes before pregnancy detection. 10 In addition, although fertility clinics closely monitor early reproductive events, the findings from fertility clinic data may not be applicable to couples not experiencing challenges conceiving, as the causes of spontaneous abortion differ in fertility treatment populations.…”

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confidence: 99%

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A Prospective Cohort Study of Seasonal Variation in Spontaneous Abortion

et al. 2022

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Background: Up to 30% of pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion, yet few risk factors have been identified. Examining seasonal patterns in risk of spontaneous abortion can generate new hypotheses regarding environmental and lifestyle determinants. Methods: We used data from Pregnancy Study Online-a preconception cohort study of pregnancy planners from the United States and Canada-to examine seasonal variation in spontaneous abortion risk. We enrolled 12,197 women during 2013 to 2020, 6104 of whom reported a conception within 12 months of enrollment. On followup questionnaires, participants reported date of spontaneous abortion and weeks gestation at time of loss. We used periodic regression to estimate two aspects of seasonal occurrence: peak/low ratio-a measure of intensity of seasonal variation-and peak timing. We examined season at risk (from the date of each gestational week) in relation to spontaneous abortion; in a secondary analysis, we examined season of conception in relation to spontaneous abortion. We controlled for seasonal patterns in attempt initiation via month the pregnancy attempt began. Results: Almost 20% of women experienced spontaneous abortion. Risk was highest in late August, with a peak/low ratio of 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 1.6). This seasonal pattern was evident almost exclusively for spontaneous abortion at <8 weeks since the last menstrual period date (peak/low ratio = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.2, 1.8), and associations were stronger among women living in the Southern and Midwestern United States. Conclusions:Environmental or lifestyle factors more prevalent in late summer may be associated with increased risk of early spontaneous abortion.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%