Economic Costs Associated with Miscarriage: A secondary analysis of QResearch

Miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy before the baby can survive outside the womb, affects up to 25% of pregnancies in the UK, with around 200,000 cases each year. While the emotional and physical toll of miscarriage is increasingly recognised, its economic impact remains under-explored. This study seeks to fill that gap by estimating the costs associated with both sporadic and recurrent miscarriages.

Using data from the QResearch database, which includes primary care and hospital records, the research will compare the healthcare costs over three months, one year, and five years for women who have experienced a miscarriage against those who haven't. By incorporating various health and lifestyle factors into the analysis, the study aims to provide a detailed understanding of the economic burden of miscarriage. This insight could inform more cost-effective approaches to prevention and management, potentially easing the financial strain on healthcare services and improving outcomes for affected families alike.