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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / A survey of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death i...
Equine veterinary journal2003; 35(5); 496-501; doi: 10.2746/042516403775600578

A survey of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death in the UK from 1988 to 1997.

Abstract: A detailed review of laboratory records for equine abortion is fundamental in establishing current disease trends and suggesting problems important for further research. Objective: To review the causes of abortion and neonatal death in equine diagnostic submissions to the Animal Health Trust over a 10 year period. Methods: The diagnoses in 1252 equine fetuses and neonatal foals were reviewed and analysed into categories. Results: Problems associated with the umbilical cord, comprising umbilical cord torsion and the long cord/cervical pole ischaemia disorder, were the most common diagnoses (38.8%: 35.7% umbilical cord torsion and 3.1% long cord/cervical pole ischaemia disorder). Other noninfective causes of abortion or neonatal death included twinning (6.0%), intrapartum stillbirth (13.7%) and placentitis, associated with infection (9.8%). E. coli and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were the most common bacteria isolated. Neonatal infections not associated with placentitis accounted for 3.2% of incidents; and infections with EHV-1 or EHV-4 for 6.5%. Conclusions: Definitive diagnosis of equine abortion is possible in the majority of cases where the whole fetus and placenta are submitted for examination. Conclusions: Given the high incidence of umbilical cord torsion and related problems as causes of abortion in UK broodmares, more research on factors determining umbilical cord length and risk of torsion is essential.
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Publication Date: 2003-07-24 PubMed ID: 12875329DOI: 10.2746/042516403775600578Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research article summarizes a 10-year study of the causes of equine abortion and neonatal death in the UK. The study found umbilical cord problems to be the most common cause of these incidents, stressing the need for more research in this area.

Objective and Methodology

  • The main objective of this article was to review the causes of equine abortion and neonatal death in the UK, with a key focus on equine diagnostic submissions made to the Animal Health Trust over a period of 10 years.
  • To achieve this, a comprehensive examination of 1252 equine fetal and neonatal foal diagnoses were carried out. The obtained data were then properly reviewed and analyzed into identifiable categories.

Results and Findings

  • The study identified problems associated with the umbilical cord – such as umbilical cord torsion and the long cord/cervical pole ischaemia disorder – as the most commonly diagnosed issues, accounting for 38.8% of the cases.
  • Additionally, non-infective causes related to twinning were linked to 6.0% of the issues, intrapartum stillbirth represented 13.7%, while placentitis which is often associated with infections accounted for about 9.8%.
  • The study also established that E. coli and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were the top bacteria isolated from the evaluated cases.
  • Meanwhile, neonatal infections that are not associated with placentitis were linked to 3.2% of the cases. Infections caused by EHV-1 or EHV-4 were found to contribute to 6.5% of the cases.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that a definitive diagnosis of equine abortion can be achieved in most cases if the whole fetus and placenta are submitted for examination.
  • Given the high incidence of umbilical cord torsion and other related problems as causative agents of abortion in UK broodmares, the researchers advocated for more research focused on factors that determine umbilical cord length and the risk of torsion.

Cite This Article

APA
Smith KC, Blunden AS, Whitwell KE, Dunn KA, Wales AD. (2003). A survey of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death in the UK from 1988 to 1997. Equine Vet J, 35(5), 496-501. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516403775600578

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 5
Pages: 496-501

Researcher Affiliations

Smith, K C
  • Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK.
Blunden, A S
    Whitwell, K E
      Dunn, K A
        Wales, A D

          MeSH Terms

          • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
          • Abortion, Veterinary / etiology
          • Abortion, Veterinary / mortality
          • Animals
          • Animals, Newborn
          • Cause of Death / trends
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / etiology
          • Horse Diseases / mortality
          • Horses
          • Placenta Diseases / epidemiology
          • Placenta Diseases / etiology
          • Placenta Diseases / mortality
          • Placenta Diseases / veterinary
          • Pregnancy
          • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology
          • Pregnancy Outcome / etiology
          • Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary
          • Retrospective Studies
          • Umbilical Cord / pathology
          • United Kingdom / epidemiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 25 times.
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