Abstract |
In an ultrasound screening study at 10-13 weeks of gestation involving 17,870 women, the prevalence of early pregnancy failure was 2.8% (501 cases), including 313 (62.5%) missed abortions and 188 (37.5%) anembryonic pregnancies. Lower gestation and higher maternal age were associated with a higher prevalence (chi 2 = 143.5; p < 0.001 and chi 2 = 53.3; p < 0.0001, respectively). The prevalence was higher in women with a history of vaginal bleeding (chi 2 = 141.5; p < 0.0001), but there was no significant association with previous pregnancy losses (chi 2 = 2.8), parity (chi 2 = 0.6) or cigarette smoking (chi 2 = 0.0). Recent evidence suggests that the most effective method of screening for chromosomal abnormalities is measurement of fetal nuchal translucency thickness at 10-13 weeks, and therefore ultrasound examination at this gestation is likely to become universally available. As shown in this study, an additional advantage of such a scan is the diagnosis of early pregnancy failure, which will be found in about 3% of patients examined. Elective evacuation of retained products of conception is likely to be more cost effective and potentially safer than emergency surgery in a patient presenting during miscarriage.
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Authors | P P Pandya, R J Snijders, N Psara, L Hilbert, K H Nicolaides |
Journal | Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
(Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol)
Vol. 7
Issue 3
Pg. 170-3
(Mar 1996)
ISSN: 0960-7692 [Print] England |
PMID | 8705407
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Topics |
- Abortion, Missed
(complications, diagnostic imaging, epidemiology)
- Adult
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Fetal Death
(complications, diagnostic imaging, epidemiology)
- Gestational Age
- Humans
- London
(epidemiology)
- Maternal Age
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Trimester, First
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Ultrasonography, Prenatal
- Uterine Hemorrhage
(complications)
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