FERTILITY OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH PREVIOUS ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

Abstract

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy is the commonest gynecological emergencies. If not treated timely, it places major morbidity upon future fertility and family. Ectopic pregnancy presents a major health problem for women of childbearing age. The increased incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been partially attributed to improved ability in making an earlier diagnosis. Anything that hampers the migration of the embryo to the endometrial cavity could predispose women to ectopic gestation. The most logical explanation for the increasing frequency of EPs is previous pelvic infection; however, most patients presenting with an EP have no identifiable risk factor. Objective: To determine the frequency of fertility outcome (intrauterine pregnancy and extrauterine pregnancy) in patients having history of ectopic pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A total of 92 patients having history of ectopic pregnancy were included in the study in a consecutive manner and assessed for fertility outcome in terms of extrauterine or intrauterine pregnancy. The study utilized descriptive cross sectional study design. The study settings was department of gynecology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. The study duration was from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2020. Results: The mean age of the sample was 30.3 + 6.1 years. The mean parity of the sample was 2.1 + 1.5, mean BMI was 26.4 + 3.5kg/m2 and mean gestational age at presentation was 6.7 + 2.1 weeks. With regards to fertility outcome, 39.1% women had extrauterine pregnancy and 60.9% had intrauterine pregnancy. Extrauterine pregnancy though less than intrauterine is still a significant problem in the study’s population with previous history of ectopic pregnancy. Recommendation: The study recommend more research projects particularly interventional studies for proper management of ectopic pregnancy and reduce the burden of extrauterine pregnancies so that even with history of ectopic pregnancy, term delivery can be assured.