Guest Author - Krissi Danielsson

As with most other medically oriented subjects, this article will merely provide a brief overview of the issues along with a source list at the bottom. Diseases are far too complex to cover thoroughly in an article such as this, so further questions should go to an experienced medical professional.

How diseases relate to miscarriages

Health conditions can play a role in miscarriages. Some chronic diseases cause an increased risk of miscarriages, such as lupus and diabetes, but managing the conditions and getting appropriate medical care along the way will reduce the risk to almost the same level as someone without the disease.

A few illnesses that are not chronic also carry increased risk of miscarriage or other harm to the developing baby. In those cases, the best means of avoiding those diseases is to keep your vaccination status up to date and take precautions to avoid exposure, whenever possible, to risks.

Chronic diseases

Of chronic diseases associated with miscarriages, the most common are probably diabetes and thyroid conditions. In addition to those, lupus and chronic kidney diseases also pose risks, as does celiac disease.

Ideally in the case of a chronic disease, you will know you have it before getting pregnant. For all the above conditions, having the disease under control and monitored by a doctor along the way can make a world of difference in the pregnancy outcome.

Unfortunately, sometimes miscarriage might be the first clue of a chronic disease, particularly for thyroid conditions. (Refer back to this article for a look at the symptoms of thyroid disease.) Your doctor may not automatically test for chronic diseases as part of a miscarriage followup, but if you know for a fact that any chronic disease runs in your family, be sure to mention it and ask if your doctor thinks it is worth testing for.

Transient illnesses

A few illnesses and infections are also associated with pregnancy loss. One that receives a lot of attention is rubella, aka German measles. If you had rubella as a child or if your MMR shots are up to date, your risk of contracting rubella should be minimal. The disease is largely eradicated in the United States, although it is alive and well in most other parts of the world including Canada, which recently suffered an outbreak. Most doctors test for rubella antibodies as part of the standard early pregnancy bloodwork.

Fifth disease is another illness that can cause miscarriages. Fifth disease rarely causes complications in children and confers lifelong immunity, but for adults it can cause arthritis problems. It can also cause miscarriage. Women who had it as a child should be immune, but for those who did not, it's a good idea to use caution when around large groups of children. Teachers and day care professionals, for example, should keep tabs on any fifth disease outbreaks in their work locations and be sure to take measures to avoid exposure.

Bacterial vaginosis is another proven but often overlooked risk factor for miscarriagse. For some reason, it is commonly considered a sexually transmitted disease, but estimates suggest that up to 16 percent of the population has it. Women can contract bacterial vaginosis through new sex partners, but also through other means, such as using an IUD or douching. Women with bacterial vaginosis may be as much as nine times more likely to miscarry. Any woman who miscarries should ask her doctor to screen for this infection, because it can sometimes be present with no symptoms.

Other diseases

There are other diseases and health conditions associated with miscarriage, but the ones mentioned above are probably the most common. In most cases, maternal disease is not the underlying cause of miscarriage, but it never hurts to be vigilant and to raise any concerns with your doctor.

Next in this series: uterine abnormalities.