Pregnancy termination at a viable stage in daily clinical practice

The study investigates the incidence and characteristics of late termination of pregnancy (TOP) or abortion for medical reasons in Flanders, Belgium. A mortality follow-back survey was conducted among physicians who signed death certificates of stillbirths from 22 weeks gestation onward. The survey found that 38% of stillbirths were the result of late TOPs, which were often suggested by physicians due to serious or very serious congenital anomalies of the foetus. The study highlights the need for adequate registration methods and for TOP to be always counseled as an equivalent option.