Spontaneous miscarriage/abortion in the first trimester and expectant management - a meta-analysis approach

To determine effectiveness and side effects of expectant care in first-trimester miscarriage. An increase in the spontaneous miscarriage rate and its associated complications exerts a burden on the overall health and quality of life of women. Expectant care in a first-trimester miscarriage has shown success ranging 75-80%. This study was designed to search the literature for information on the clinical safety and effectiveness of expectant management on spontaneous miscarriage during the first trimester.

The review included studies that included women in expectant care for spontaneous miscarriage in the first trimester. Trial studies were recognized through a methodical and organized database search from PubMed, COCHRANE, MEDLINE, Embase, and bibliography from January 2000 until December 2022. The methodological assessment and risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute criteria.

Eleven studies in systematic review and 7 studies in the meta-analysis were included. The included studies showed a low to moderate risk of bias. The odds of success in expectant intervention were low when compared with surgical intervention (odds ratio - OR: OR: 0.37 [0.28, 0.48]) and medical management (OR: 0.47 [0.36, 0.61]), and the need for surgical evacuation was high (OR: 2.59 [1.88, 3.59]).

Future trials should consider women's opinions and the effect on quality of life along with clinical consequences, to provide improved suggestions on the efficiency and adverse effects.