ECTOPIC PREGNANCY MORTALITY, UNITED-STATES, 1979 TO 1980 - CLINICAL ASPECTS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 64  (3) , 386-390
Abstract
Ectopic pregnancy has recently become a major cause of maternal mortality in the USA. Despite its increasing public health impact, relatively little is known about the clinical epidemiology of this condition. Therefore, the authors investigated all reported deaths from ectopic pregnancy in the USA occurring in 1979 and 1980, to determine characteristics of, and risk factors for, fatal ectopic pregnancy. Most women (85%) died from hemorrhage. Abdominal and interstitial implantations were more likely to become symptomatic later in gestation and to be fatal than were tubal implantations. Of those deaths for which circumstances were known, more prompt diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy by health professionals might have prevented 1/2 of the deaths. Of the deaths, 1/3 might have been prevented if the women had notified or visited a physician more promptly after the onset of symptoms. Timelier action by women and health professionals could reduce ectopic pregnancy mortality.

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