Ectopic Pregnancy
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a fertilized egg settles and
grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The vast
majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the
Fallopian tube (98%), however, they
can occur in other locations, such as the ovary, cervix, and abdominal cavity.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs in about one in 50 pregnancies.
The major health risk of ectopic pregnancy is rupture leading to internal
bleeding. Before the 19th century, the mortality rate (the death rate) from
ectopic pregnancies exceeded 50%. By the end of the 19th century, the mortality rate dropped
to five percent because of surgical intervention. With current advances in early
detection, the mortality rate has improved to less than five in 10,000. The
survival rate from ectopic pregnancies is improving even though the incidence of
ectopic pregnancies is also increasing. The major reason for a poor outcome is
failure to seek early medical attention. Ectopic pregnancy remains the leading
cause of pregnancy-related death in the
first trimester of pregnancy.
Next: What are the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy? »
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