| |
Early
pregnancy loss (EPL), prior to clinical pregnancy being established,
may actually be a positive sign that a woman will be able
to conceive in subsequent cycles, say researchers.
|
| |
27 March 2003
"There are few data on how EPL in previous cycles
is associated with reproductive outcomes in subsequent cycles," observe
Dr. Xiabin Wang (Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts,
USA) and colleagues.
Accordingly, the team monitored 518 nulliparous women who intended
to conceive, and who provided daily records of vaginal bleeding
and daily urine specimens for 1 year, or until clinical pregnancy
was achieved. Daily urinary levels of human chorionic gonadotropin
(hCG) were assayed to detect EPL.
During the 12-month study, the conception rate per cycle was
40 percent, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 30 percent. Overall,
EPL was detected in 14 percent of cycles without clinically
recognized pregnancy, but it was less common in women with
delayed time to conception. EPL was associated with increased
odds of conception and clinical pregnancy in subsequent cycles,
but showed no link to spontaneous abortion, low birth weight,
or preterm birth.
"Our data lend support to a previous notion that EPL
is apparently a positive indicator that the stages of reproduction
leading
to implantation are intact," the researchers conclude.
Source: Fertility and
Sterility 2003; 79: 577-84 |
