Accuracy of spontaneous abortion recall

Data regarding spontaneous abortion are more easily obtained retrospectively than prospectively. However, the comparable quality of data obtained by these two approaches is not known. Retrospective data are difficult to validate because spontaneous abortions are not routinely documented. In this study, the quality of retrospective data was evaluated by comparing them with prospective data collected incidentally in a long-term study of menstrual cycles. A total of 348 women recorded one or more spontaneous abortions while participating in the Menstrual and Reproductive Health Study and were resurveyed regarding their pregnancy histories. Seventy-five per cent of recorded abortions were recalled. Gestational age at time of abortion was the major determinant of recall, with early abortions less often remembered. Time since abortion also affected recall, but less so. Other factors such as parity or maternal age were not related to completeness of recall. Recall of three fourths of recorded abortions among this group of women sensitized to their reproductive functions probably represents an upper limit of recall for other populations. While retrospective abortion data often are more accessible than medical records or prospective data, there may be limits to the usefulness of recalled abortion data in certain settings.