Differential Diagnosis for Spontaneous Abortions
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Threatened abortion: This is the most common diagnosis, accounting for the majority of cases, where the pregnancy is still viable but there is vaginal bleeding.
- Justification: Vaginal bleeding is a common symptom of threatened abortion, and it is often the first sign of a potential miscarriage.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Inevitable abortion: This diagnosis is considered when there is vaginal bleeding and cervical dilation, indicating that the miscarriage is unavoidable.
- Justification: Inevitable abortion is a common progression of threatened abortion, and the presence of cervical dilation increases the likelihood of this diagnosis.
- Incomplete abortion: This diagnosis is considered when there is vaginal bleeding and passage of tissue, but the pregnancy is not completely expelled.
- Justification: Incomplete abortion is a possible complication of spontaneous abortion, and the presence of passed tissue increases the likelihood of this diagnosis.
- Missed abortion: This diagnosis is considered when the fetus has died but is not expelled, and there is no vaginal bleeding.
- Justification: Missed abortion is a possible diagnosis when there is no vaginal bleeding, but the pregnancy is no longer viable.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ectopic pregnancy: This is a life-threatening condition where the embryo implants outside the uterus, and it is essential to rule out this diagnosis in cases of vaginal bleeding.
- Justification: Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent maternal mortality.
- Molar pregnancy: This is a rare condition where the placenta grows abnormally, and it can cause vaginal bleeding and other complications.
- Justification: Molar pregnancy is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Septic abortion: This is a rare but life-threatening condition where the uterus becomes infected, often due to an incomplete abortion.
- Justification: Septic abortion is a rare complication of spontaneous abortion, but it requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent maternal mortality.
- Recurrent pregnancy loss: This is a rare condition where a woman experiences multiple miscarriages, and it may be due to underlying genetic or hormonal factors.
- Justification: Recurrent pregnancy loss is a rare diagnosis, but it requires further evaluation and treatment to prevent future miscarriages.