Higher Death Rate of Abortion Discussed in New England Journal of Medicine

     (Elliot Institute www.afterabortion.info) More physicians are now aware of the new studies proving that death rates associated with abortion are far higher than death rates associated with childbirth, thanks to a letter from the Elliot Institute's director, Dr. David Reardon, that was published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. The letter was published as one of three critical responses to an article the journal had previously published regarding partial birth abortions.

     The original commentary claimed that partial birth abortions would pose fewer health risks to the woman than childbirth, particularly if a woman faced concurrent health problems. In such cases, doctors should be free to recommend the abortion to protect the woman's health, the authors argued. In making their claims, the authors used dissimilar studies regarding death rates from abortion and childbirth to assert that abortion is associated with a lower mortality rate.

     Reardon's response documented the newest record-based research proving that the risk of death associated with abortion is actually higher than that associated with childbirth, miscarriage, or not being pregnant. These are the only studies to examine pregnancy-associated mortality related to abortion and childbirth using a common standard and methodology. He also documented that women face higher risk of psychiatric illness following an abortion and noted the lack of any evidence that couples who abort a baby due to fetal anomalies experience any psychological benefit. He concluded his remarks with the observation that proponents of abortion have failed to document any benefits of abortion that outweigh the known risks, either in general or specifically for those women who face a concurrent illness.

     Citing: Reardon DC, Hoeldtke NJ, Marchetti P, Greene MF, Ecker JL. "Abortion, Health, and the Law," N Engl J Med 2004; 350:1908-1910, Apr 29, 2004. Correspondence

Source: Elliot Institute News Vol 3, No 5
Publish Date: May 6, 200