Skip to main content

Treatment Strategy for Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Treatment Strategy for Unexplained Infertility and Recurrent Miscarriage

Abstract

Couples with unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM) cannot achieve live birth, because of repeated sporadic abortion or undetected causes of RM on common examinations. The undetected causes of RM include complexed multiple risk factors of pregnancy loss as multifactorial disease and perturbation of endometrial decidualization. To avoid subsequent pregnancy loss, recommendations for RM treatment include modification of lifestyle habits to eliminate risk factors of miscarriage; vitamin D supplementation, if deficient; adequate diagnosis and treatment of chronic endometritis; and oral dydrogesterone treatment as a part of “tender loving care.” If patients have diminished ovarian reserves or are >40 years old, infertility treatment should be recommended. If subsequent pregnancy ends in miscarriage, chromosome analysis of chorionic villi samplings is required for planning treatment strategy of the subsequent pregnancy. If the result is euploid, further investigations for the cause of RM and reexamination of treatment strategy are required.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Jauniaux E, Farquharson RG, Christiansen OB, Exalto N. Evidence-based guidelines for the investigation and medical treatment of recurrent miscarriage. Hum Reprod. 2006;21:2216–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Suzuki S, Ozaki Y, Katano K, Suzumori N, Kitaori T. Frequency of recurrent spontaneous abortion and its influence on further marital relationship and illness: the Okazaki cohort study in Japan. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2013;39:126–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Parazzini F, Bocciolone L, Fedele L, Negri E, La Vecchia C, Acaia B. Risk factors for spontaneous abortion. Int J Epidemiol. 1991;20:157–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rai R, Regan L. Recurrent miscarriage. Lancet. 2006;368:601–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Winter E, Wang J, Davies MJ, Norman R. Early pregnancy loss following assisted reproductive technology treatment. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:3220–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Venners SA, Wang X, Chen C, Wang L, Chen D, Guang W, Huang A, Ryan L, O’Connor J, Lasley B, Overstreet J, Wilcox A, Xu X. Paternal smoking and pregnancy loss: a prospective study using a biomarker of pregnancy. Am J Epidemiol. 2004;159:993–1001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen LW, Wu Y, Neelakantan N, Chong MF, Pan A, van Dam RM. Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of pregnancy loss: a categorical and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Public Health Nutr. 2016;19:1233–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kesmodel U, Wisborg K, Olsen SF, Henriksen TB, Secher NJ. Moderate alcohol intake in pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion. Alcohol Alcohol. 2002;37:87–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Boots CE, Bernardi LA, Stephenson MD. Frequency of euploid miscarriage is increased in obese women with recurrent early pregnancy loss. Fertil Steril. 2014;102:455–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hou W, Yan XT, Bai CM, Zhang XW, Hui LY, Yu XW. Decreased serum vitamin D levels in early spontaneous pregnancy loss. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016;70:1004–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Furukawa TA, Nakano Y, Hori S, Aoki K, Kitamura T. Depression as a potential causal factor in subsequent miscarriage in recurrent spontaneous aborters. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:2580–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Li W, Newell-Price J, Jones GL, Ledger WL, Li TC. Relationship between psychological stress and recurrent miscarriage. Reprod Biomed Online. 2012;25:180–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lok IH, Neugebauer R. Psychological morbidity following miscarriage. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2007;21:229–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Clifford K, Rai R, Regan L. Future pregnancy outcome in unexplained recurrent first trimester miscarriage. Hum Reprod. 1997;12:387–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Brigham SA, Conlon C, Farquharson RG. A longitudinal study of pregnancy outcome following idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. Hum Reprod. 1999;14:2868–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Nybo Andersen AM, Wohlfahrt J, Christens P, Olsen J, Melbye M. Maternal age and fetal loss: population based register linkage study. BMJ. 2000;320:1708–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lund M, Kamper-Jorgensen M, Nielsen HS, Lidegaard O, Andersen AMN, Christiansen OB. Prognosis for live birth in women with recurrent miscarriage. What is the best measure of success? Obstet Gynecol. 2012;119:37–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Tietze C, Guttmacher AF, Rubin S. Time required for conception in 1727 planned pregnancies. Fertil Steril. 1950;1:338–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Teklenburg G, Salker M, Molokhia M, Lavery S, Trew G, Aojanepong T, Mardon HJ, Lokugamage AU, Rai R, Landles C, Roelen BAJ, Quenby S, Kuijk EW, Kavelaars A, Heijnen CJ, Regan L, Brosens JJ, Macklon NS. Natural selection of human embryos: decidualizing endometrial stromal cells serve as sensors of embryo quality upon implantation. PLoS One. 2010;5:e10258.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Brosens JJ, Salker MS, Teklenburg G, Nautiyal J, Salter S, Lucas ES, Steel JH, Christian M, Chan Y-W, Boomsma CM, Moore JD, Hartshorne GM, Sucurovic S, Mulac-Jericevic B, Heijnen CJ, Quenby S, Koerkamp MJG, Holstege FCP, Shmygol A, Macklon NS. Uterine selection of human embryos at implantation. Sci Rep. 2014;4:3894.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Weimar CHE, Kavelaars A, Brosens JJ, Gellersen B, de Vreeden-Elbertse JMT, Heijnen CJ, Macklon NS. Endometrial stromal cells of women with recurrent miscarriage fail to discriminate between high-and low-quality human embryos. PLoS One. 2012;7:e41424.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Teklenburg G, Salker M, Heijnen C, Macklon NS, Brosens JJ. The molecular basis of recurrent pregnancy loss: impaired natural embryo selection. Mol Hum Reprod. 2010;16:886–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Wilcox AJ, Baird DD, Wenberg CR. Time of implantation of the conceptus and loss of pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:1796–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Moffett-King A. Natural killer cells and pregnancy. Nat Rev Immunol. 2002;2:656–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Hanna J, Goldman-Wohl D, Hamani Y, Avraham I, Greenfield C, Natanson-Yaron S, Prus D, Cohen-Daniel L, Arnon TI, Manaster I, Gazit R, Yutkin V, Benharroch D, Porgador A, Keshet E, Yagel S, Mandelboim O. Decidual NK cells regulate key developmental processes at the human fetal-maternal interface. Nat Med. 2006;12:1065–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Quenby S, Nik H, Innes B, Lash G, Turner M, Drury J, Bulmer J. Uterine natural killer cells and angiogenesis in recurrent reproductive failure. Hum Reprod. 2009;24:45–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Clifford K, Flanagan AM, Regan L. Endometrial CD56+natural killer cells in women with recurrent miscarriage: a histomorphometric study. Hum Reprod. 1999;14:2727–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kuroda K, Venkatakrishnan R, James S, Sucurovic S, Mulac-Jericevic B, Lucas ES, Takeda S, Shmygol A, Brosens JJ, Quenby S. Elevated periimplantation uterine natural killer cell density in human endometrium is associated with impaired corticosteroid signaling in decidualizing stromal cells. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98:4429–37.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Quenby S, Kalumbi C, Bates M, Farquharson R, Vince G. Prednisolone reduces preconceptual endometrial natural killer cells in women with recurrent miscarriage. Fertil Steril. 2005;84:980–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lash GE, Bulmer JN, Innes BA, Drury JA, Robson SC, Quenby S. Prednisolone treatment reduces endometrial spiral artery development in women with recurrent miscarriage. Angiogenesis. 2011;14:523–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Tang A-W, Alfirevic Z, Turner MA, Drury J, Quenby S. Prednisolone trial: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of prednisolone for women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and raised levels of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in the endometrium. Trials. 2009;10:102.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Chard T. Cytokines in implantation. Hum Reprod Update. 1995;1:385–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Sharkey A. Cytokines and implantation. Rev Reprod. 1998;3:52–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kelly RW, King AE, Critchley HOD. Cytokine control in human endometrium. Reproduction. 2001;121:3–19.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Kuroda K, Venkatakrishnan R, Salker MS, Lucas ES, Shaheen F, Kuroda M, Blanks A, Christian M, Quenby S, Brosens JJ. Induction of 11 beta-HSD 1 and activation of distinct mineralocorticoid receptor- and glucocorticoid receptor-dependent gene networks in decidualizing human endometrial stromal cells. Mol Endocrinol. 2013;27:192–202.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Guo W, Li PF, Zhao GF, Fan HY, Hu YL, Hou YY. Glucocorticoid receptor mediates the effect of progesterone on uterine natural killer cells. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2012;67:463–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Szekeres-Bartho J, Balasch J. Progestagen therapy for recurrent miscarriage. Hum Reprod Update. 2008;14:27–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Coomarasamy A, Williams H, Truchanowicz E, Seed PT, Small R, Quenby S, Gupta P, Dawood F, Koot YEM, Atik RB, Bloemenkamp KWM, Brady R, Briley AL, Cavallaro R, Cheong YC, Chu JJ, Eapen A, Ewies A, Hoek A, Kaaijk EM, Koks CAM, Li TC, MacLean M, Mol BW, Moore J, Ross JA, Sharpe L, Stewart J, Vaithilingam N, Farquharson RG, Kilby MD, Khalaf Y, Goddijn M, Regan L, Rai R. A randomized trial of progesterone in women with recurrent miscarriages. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2141–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Saccone G, Schoen C, Franasiak JM, Scott RT Jr, Berghella V. Supplementation with progestogens in the first trimester of pregnancy to prevent miscarriage in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Fertil Steril. 2017;107:430–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Carp HJ. Progestogens in the prevention of miscarriage. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2016;27:55–62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kumar A, Begum N, Prasad S, Aggarwal S, Sharma S. Oral dydrogesterone treatment during early pregnancy to prevent recurrent pregnancy loss and its role in modulation of cytokine production: a double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 2014;102:1357–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Zolghadri J, Momtahan M, Aminian K, Ghaffarpasand F, Tavana Z. The value of hysteroscopy in diagnosis of chronic endometritis in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2011;155:217–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. McQueen DB, Perfetto CO, Hazard FK, Lathi RB. Pregnancy outcomes in women with chronic endometritis and recurrent pregnancy loss. Fertil Steril. 2015;104:927–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Kitaya K, Matsubayashi H, Yamaguchi K, Nishiyama R, Takaya Y, Ishikawa T, Yasuo T, Yamada H. Chronic endometritis: potential cause of infertility and obstetric and neonatal complications. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2016;75:13–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Johnston-MacAnanny EB, Hartnett J, Engmann LL, Nulsen JC, Sanders MM, Benadiva CA. Chronic endometritis is a frequent finding in women with recurrent implantation failure after in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. 2010;93:437–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Wu D, Kimura F, Zheng L, Ishida M, Niwa Y, Hirata K, Takebayashi A, Takashima A, Takahashi K, Kushima R, Zhang G, Murakami T. Chronic endometritis modifies decidualization in human endometrial stromal cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2017;15:16.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Murugappan G, Gustin S, Lathi RB. Separation of miscarriage tissue from maternal decidua for chromosome analysis. Fertil Steril. 2014;102:e9–e10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Ikuma S, Sato T, Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Nagayoshi M, Tanaka A, Takeda S. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis and natural conception: a comparison of live birth rates in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss associated with translocation. PLoS One. 2015;10:e0129958.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Aoki K, Fujii T, Fujita T, Kawaguchi R, Maruyama T, Ozawa N, Sugi T, Takeshita T, Saito S. Subsequent pregnancy outcomes in recurrent miscarriage patients with a paternal or maternal carrier of a structural chromosome rearrangement. J Hum Genet. 2008;53:622–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Flynn H, Yan J, Saravelos SH, Li TC. Comparison of reproductive outcome, including the pattern of loss, between couples with chromosomal abnormalities and those with unexplained repeated miscarriages. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2014;40:109–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keiji Kuroda .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Kuroda, K. (2018). Treatment Strategy for Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage. In: Kuroda, K., Brosens, J., Quenby, S., Takeda, S. (eds) Treatment Strategy for Unexplained Infertility and Recurrent Miscarriage. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8690-8_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8690-8_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-8689-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-8690-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics