ECTOPIC PREGNANCY : A MAJOR CAUSE OF MATERNAL MORTALITY?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Seventyeight cases of ectopic pregnancy were studied retrospectively at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital during April 1993 - December 1996. The overall incidence of etopic pregnancy was 0.86% live births. Grandmultipara were found to be at a low risk for ectopic pregnancy. A history of infertility and previous pelvic surgery were positive risk factors. The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (90%), history of amenorrhoea (46%), abnormal uterine bleeding (40%). On examination adenexal tenderness (72%), abdominal tenderness (68%), pallor (53%) and cervical excitation (33%) were the most frequent findings. Adenexal mass was noted in 22% cases and in 35 % cases the size of the uterus could not be assessed. Ultrasonography and transvaginal sonography proved to be valuable diagnostic aids. Two maternal deaths (2.6 %) due to ectopic pregnancy occurred in the hospital during this period. Key Words: Ectopic pregnancy, risk factors, sonography.