Articles Induced abortion and risk of later premature births, by Brent Rooney and Bryon C. Calhoun MD   At least 49 studies have demonstrated a statistically significant increase in premature births or low birth weight risk in women with prior induced abortions (IAs). Large studies have reported a doubling of early premature birth risk from two prior IAs. Women who had four or more IAs experienced, on average, nine times the risk of extremely premature birth, an increase of 800 percent. These results suggest that women contemplating IA should be informed of this potential risk to subsequent pregnancies, and that physicians should be aware of the potential liability and possible need for intensified prenatal care. Previous induced abortions and the risk of very preterm delivery: results of the EPIPAGE study (BJOG, April 2005)   A French study, reported in BJOG: An international Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology concluded that previous induced abortion was associated with an increased risk of very preterm delivery. The strength of the association increased with decreasing gestational age.