evaluation of the causes of therapeutic abortion registered in the khorasan razavi department of forensic medicine from 2012-2019

Background: therapeutic abortion is a complicated issue in islamic countries therapeutic abortion is a complicated issue in islamic countries. the new population growth policies in iran introduced updated indications for therapeutic abortion in recent years. objectives: this study was performed to evaluate the causes of therapeutic abortion in the khorasan razavi department of forensic medicine from 2012-2019. methods: this longitudinal study was performed on all recorded documents of permitted therapeutic abortions from 2012-2019 using a researcher-made checklist. results: a total of 2,729 therapeutic abortion permits were issued during the study period. the mean maternal and gestational age scores at the time of abortion were 30.30±6.78 years and 16 weeks, respectively. the main sources for referral were obstetrics and gynecologist (76.2%). fetal causes were the most common causes of therapeutic abortion (96.4%). the most common fetal and maternal causes were trisomy 21 and cardiac disorders, respectively. conclusion: the most common cause of therapeutic abortion was fetal causes. among the maternal causes, maternal cardiac disorders should be identified and prevented by better pregnancy care.