Causes of equine perinatal mortality.
Authors: Abraham Michelle, Bauquier Jennifer
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary The peripartum period represents a critical juncture in equine reproduction, yet perinatal mortality remains a significant challenge affecting breeding operations. Abraham and Bauquier's 2021 review synthesises current evidence on the aetiologies of fetal and foal loss spanning late pregnancy, parturition, and the neonatal phase, examining both established causes and recently identified infectious agents that compromise survival. Key advances highlighted include improved diagnostic techniques for identifying infectious organisms implicated in pregnancy loss and novel prognostic indicators for assessing neonatal viability and survival potential in critically ill foals. For practitioners managing reproductive cases, understanding the full spectrum of perinatal complications—alongside contemporary diagnostic and management strategies—enables more targeted interventions during high-risk pregnancies and more informed clinical decision-making in neonatal emergencies. The evolving knowledge base in reproductive and neonatal medicine offers tangible opportunities to reduce pregnancy losses and improve foal survival rates through evidence-based management protocols.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Understanding the main causes of perinatal loss across pregnancy, birth, and early neonatal life is essential for implementing preventive strategies and improving foal survival rates
- •Early identification of infectious organisms and assessment of neonatal survival indicators enables timely intervention in at-risk foals
- •Proactive management of mares with high-risk pregnancies and critically ill neonates, informed by reproductive and neonatal medicine advances, directly improves outcomes on breeding operations
Key Findings
- •Perinatal mortality in horses encompasses late pregnancy, parturition, and neonatal periods with multiple contributing causes
- •Recent advances have improved identification of infectious organisms responsible for fetal and foal loss
- •Indicators of survival in neonatal foals have been identified to aid prognostic assessment
- •Improved management of high-risk pregnancies and critically ill neonatal foals can reduce mortality