The increasing incidence of ectopic pregnancy: 193 cases in ten years in the Med way towns

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Abstract
During the ten years, 1977–1986, in the Medway towns, Kent, 193 women underwent surgery for ectopic pregnancy. One ectopic pregnancy was found every 233 deliveries, that is 0–43%. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy was examined in relation to the calendar year of conception. The denominator was ‘reported pregnancies’, the total of live births, stillbirths, legal abortions and ectopic pregnancies. The annual number of ectopic pregnancies increased steadily from 11 in 1977 to 23 in 1986, an 82 per cent increase in the rate per 1000 reported pregnancies, from 2–5 to 4–6 (PP<0.001). The rising incidence of ectopic pregnancy poses questions regarding the aetiological factors, and has serious implications on subsequent fertility and maternal mortality in the first trimester, as well as increased demands on hospital facilities. The index of suspicion among doctors dealing with suspected ectopic pregnancy should be increased.

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