History of the relation between pregnancy and pulmonary tuberculosis and therapeutic abortion
Caffaratto, T.M.
Minerva Ginecologica 28(2): 192-201
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4784 PMID: 768820 Document Number: 103300
The history of the theories concerning tuberculosis and its possible relations with pregnancy from ancient times to the present is reviewed and it is concluded that, generally, especially in view of the progress of modern medicine, tuberculosis is compatible with normal pregnancy and delivery and abortion is unnecessary in most cases. There are, however, rare serious cases (e.g., resistance to antibiotics in rapidly deteriorating cases, permanent respiratory insufficiency following medic al or surgical treatment, bilateral kidney tuberculosis) in which abortion can be justified for medical reasons. It is concluded that this category of therapeutic abortion, although increasingly rare, must be acknowledged and distinguished, both legally and morally, from abortions due simply to reasons of convenience. The physician should be allowed to follow his conscience and his reasoned objective professional judgment in deciding whether abortion is medically justified in a given case.