Background: Termination of pregnancy aided by therapeutic abortion has been practiced since ancient times with the main goal of preserving mother’s life. Determining legislation relating to therapeutic abortion in each community along with identifying the main factors affecting the issuance of abortion permits is essential. This study aimed to determine main indications for licensing therapeutic abortion by forensic medicine organization in Hormozgan province.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 281 pregnant women who referred to forensic medicine organization in Hormozgan province, from April 2016 to March 2017 for licensing therapeutic abortion (enumeration method). All medical records related to mother or fetus were correctly reviewed and were referred to the university hospitals for further clinical or paraclinical assessments if required. Authenticity of licensing therapeutic abortion was consulted with three specialists.
Findings: The license for therapeutic abortion was issued for 77.9%. The most common disorders in mothers requiring abortion were renal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer, and hypertension. Also, the main neonatal disorders indicated for abortion were central nervous system disorders (especially anencephaly and microcephaly) and major thalassemia. The main reasons for the lack of licensing included high gestational age (over 19 weeks and 1 day), lack of follow by mothers, lack of patient's name at referral list, disapproval of deformities or malformations, and no likelihood for life-threatening.
Conclusion: More than two-third of requests for therapeutic abortion are licensed in forensic medicine organization in Hormozgan province. The main maternal causes for licensing therapeutic abortion are renal disorders, cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer while the most frequent fetal reasons for issuing abortion include central nervous system abnormalities such as anencephaly.