Fetal diagnosis and therapy
-
Fetal. Diagn. Ther. · Nov 1997
Urine beta-core fragment, a potential screening test for ectopic pregnancy and spontaneous abortion.
The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in the United States has risen 6-fold in the last three decades. It now accounts for about 2% of reported pregnancies. Tests are now needed to identify ectopic pregnancy before it is clinically evident. ⋯ Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy could be confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound, and ectopic pregnancy terminated early by nonsurgical methods, with minimal mortality or fertility loss. Major fetal defects that cause spontaneous abort pregnancies may also be recognized by transvaginal ultrasound. In such cases, chorionic villous sampling or possibly termination may be considered.