BLIGHTED OVUM

What is a blighted ovum?

A blighted ovum (also known as “anembryonic pregnancy”) happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop. Cells develop to form the pregnancy sac, but not the embryo itself. A blighted ovum occurs within the first trimester, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. A high level of chromosome abnormalities usually causes a woman’s body to naturally miscarry.

How incidence of blighted ovum?

At the time of conception, the egg (ovum) which mature sperm meet. But the fertilized egg cell can not be fully developed sperm, and only formed placenta that contains fluid. The placenta produces the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) after implantation where this hormone will signal the ovaries (ovarian) and the brain as a notification that already contained the products of conception in the womb. Therefore, in the case of blighted ovum, HCG can continue to rise because the placenta can grow for a short time, despite the absence of an embryo. HCG hormone that causes the appearance of the symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, vomiting, cravings and causing a pregnancy test becomes positive. Because both pregnancy tests and lab test packs are generally measured levels of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) which is often referred to as the pregnancy hormone.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Blighted ovum often does not cause signs at all. Symptoms and signs may include:

1.      Menstrual period late

2.      stomach cramps

3.      Minor vaginal bleeding or spotting

4.      Positive pregnancy test at the time of symptoms

5.      Discovered after miscarriage will occur spontaneously where people complained of bleeding.

6.      Almost the same as a normal pregnancy.

7.      Non-specific symptoms (bleeding spotting sorrel, abdominal cramps, slow increase in size of the uterus).

8.      Accidentally discovered by ultrasound

DIAGNOSIS

1.      Anamnesia (signs of pregnancy)

2.      Physical examination

3.      Investigations USG (definitive diagnosis)

Embryonic pregnancy diagnosis can be done during pregnancy entered the age of 6-7 weeks. For the moment the pregnancy sac diameter greater than 16 millimeters so that it can be seen more clearly. From there also appears, the sac that is empty and does not contain the fetus. Anembriogenik pregnancy diagnosis can be made when the gestational sac diameter at least 30 mm. not found the structure of the embryo and yolk sac.

Factors Causing Blighted Ovum

To date, of the research journal literature not found the exact cause of blighted ovum. Among the causes are varied, namely:

1.      The biggest cause, almost 60% due to chromosomal abnormalities in the process of fertilization

2.      Presence of rubella infection, TORCH infections, pain diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) Uncontrolled.

3.      Immunological factors such as the presence of antibodies to the fetus.

4.      ACA (anticardiopilin) the formation of clotting factors that clog blood vessels, which is directed to the fetus so that fetal growth stalled.

5.      Abnormal cell division

How Prevention of blighted ovum?

Blighted ovum can not be known in the early days of the womb, because there must be early detection in advance that can only be done when the fetus has reached the age of 6-7 weeks by transvaginal ultrasound examination, because at that time the pregnancy is greater diameter of 16 mm so can be seen more clearly. Therefore blighted ovum symptoms are not specific, it is usually only discovered after miscarriage will occur spontaneously where people complained of bleeding. Genesis blighted ovum often not repeated. To prevent blighted ovum, it can be done a few precautions such as checking TORCH, rubella immunization for women who want to become pregnant, if the disease be cured first, controlled their blood sugar, checks chromosomes especially when the age of 35 years, to stop smoking in order to quality sperm / ovum good, antenatal routine and get used to a healthy lifestyle.

What to do in case of blighted ovum?

Discuss with your doctor, where the right solution when the diagnosis of blighted ovum has been enforced. In patients treated by administration of misoprostol preparations, after dilatation of the cervix then performed kuretase.Namun blighted ovum can be resolved in accordance with the cause after the obtained results of the analysis of curettage. If due to an infection, it can diobatai to prevent recurrent events, however rare, but can still be pursued. If due to antibodies, it can be done immunotherapy program.