Anembryony: signs, causes and consequences

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Anembryony is a pathological pregnancy, which is characterized by the absence of an embryo in the fetal egg. There is another name for pathology. Very often this phenomenon is called the syndrome of an empty fetal egg. A pathological condition over a long period may not differ from a normal pregnancy.

At the initial stages, a woman may not suspect anything, because the pregnancy is uneventful. Only a doctor can suspect something is wrong.

The egg is attached to the wall of the uterus. However, for some reason, the development of the embryo stops, while the fetal egg continues to increase in size. That is why many women are interested in what causes anembryony, and what preventive measures should be taken to avoid an unpleasant phenomenon.

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In medicine, there are two types of miscarriage: embryonic death and anembryony. The phenomenon is quite common among women of different ages. Non-developing pregnancy (ICD-10 code - O02.1) is diagnosed in fifteen percent of casesreproductive losses.

Anembryony is a specific complication. Diagnosed in the first trimester.

The phenomenon in most cases has a negative impact on the psycho-emotional state of women. Sometimes anembryony can cause depression.

Pathology can be detected both in nulliparous women and in women who already have he althy children.

Varieties

There are several types of pathological phenomena:

1. Anembryony of the first type. With this type of pathology, the embryo, as well as its remains, are not detected during examination. The size of the fetal egg, as a rule, does not exceed 2.5 millimeters. The size of the uterus does not correspond to the expected gestational age. Most often, the reproductive female organ increases to a maximum of the fifth or seventh week of gestation.
2. Anembryony of the second type. Pathology in which the embryo is absent, but the diameter of the fetal egg and the size of the uterus correspond to the expected gestational age.
3. Resorption of the ovum. There may be several. In this case, fetal eggs are found, the development of which is no different from the norm, and regressing at the same time. Often, a similar phenomenon occurs after the IVF procedure, if several embryos were implanted in a woman at once.

It is worth noting that it is impossible to recognize a pathology during a visual examination. Anembryony can only be determined by ultrasound.

Reasons

The exact causes of the pathology have not been established. Experts suggest that hereditary factors, the action of which leads to improper distribution of chromosomes, can lead to the death of the embryo. As a rule, in more than eighty percent of cases, genetic abnormalities are detected. To determine the presence of such allows a histological examination of abortive material.

According to doctors, low-quality biological material can become the cause of anembryony. If a full-fledged egg is fertilized by a pathologically altered spermatozoon, or vice versa, the embryo is defective, unviable. As a result, the woman's body rejects the pathological neoplasm.

In addition, according to experts, the following factors significantly increase the risk of anembryony:

• alcohol abuse during pregnancy planning, as well as in the early stages of an "interesting" situation;
• tobacco smoking, substance abuse, drug use;
• fatigue, constant stress, emotional devastation that accompanies the first trimester of pregnancy;
• hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems;
• irradiation, exposure of the expectant mother to radiation;
• acute viral diseases such as influenza, rubella, pneumonia, cystitis, etc.

The occurrence of anembryony may be due to physical stress, whichthe representative of the weaker sex performed in the first trimester of pregnancy. This factor determines the prevalence of this phenomenon in professional athletes who do not reduce the intensity of training.

In itself, the phenomenon of anembryony does not have a negative impact on the reproductive function of a woman. However, empty egg syndrome can cause mental disorders.

Symptoms

An early miscarriage occurs without any symptoms. The condition is not a cause for concern. Signs of anembryony are no different from signs of pregnancy. The woman may feel tired. Stops menstruation. In addition, the phenomenon may be accompanied by toxicosis, like the most common pregnancy. Possible coarsening of the nipples, enlargement of the mammary glands. In some cases, especially when the pregnancy is not the first, there is a release of colostrum. The level of hCG during anembryony rises. The size of the uterus also undergo changes, increase. Due to the similarity of the signs of anembryonia with the symptoms of an ordinary pregnancy, it is impossible to detect pathology during a visual examination or through blood tests, etc. Only an ultrasound examination will reveal the presence of an undeveloped pregnancy.

If a woman does not suspect anything, and the pathological condition is not diagnosed within the walls of a medical institution, the first noticeable sign of anembryony may appear -the appearance of bloody discharge, which subsequently ends in spontaneous abortion, i.e. miscarriage. The intensity of bleeding can be different. As a rule, the discharge is accompanied by painful sensations.

Diagnosis

Only a qualified specialist can suspect the presence of pregnancy pathology. Most often, doctors are alarmed by the discrepancy between the size of the uterus and the expected gestational age, as well as the insufficiently intensive increase in the level of hCG.

Only an ultrasound of the uterine cavity can confirm the doctor's suspicions. The study is being carried out at the clinic. Anembryony on ultrasound is determined quite easily. The echogram clearly shows a fetal egg, in the cavity of which both the yolk sac and the embryo are absent. If the gestational age is very short and does not exceed four weeks, the woman is advised to repeat the study after seven to ten days. If the doctor does not find the embryo during the second ultrasound, the final diagnosis is made.

Treatment

The only cure is artificial abortion. It is extremely rare that doctors decide to wait a few more days for the female body to get rid of the defective ovum on its own.

Artificial termination of pregnancy can be carried out in several ways: with the help of medications and surgery. The vast majority of qualified gynecologists prefer the first method, since it is less traumatic. The risk of complications is minimal.

Doctorappoints a representative of the weaker sex drug, the constituent components of which contribute to an increase in the tone of the muscles of the uterus. Some time after taking the medication, the fetal egg is expelled, in which there is no embryo. Medical abortion is possible only up to the eighth week of pregnancy. After this period, doctors resort to surgical procedures. It is best if the pathology is eliminated by taking medication before the 5th obstetric week of pregnancy. In this case, the risk of unpleasant consequences for the female body is minimal.

The surgical method of abortion is a curettage of the uterine cavity. This method is usually used if an incomplete spontaneous miscarriage has occurred. The indication for surgical manipulation is heavy bleeding.

Abortive intervention may be a vacuum aspiration of the uterine cavity.

After the operation, the doctor is forced to conduct a histology of a missed pregnancy. In some cases, genetic testing may be necessary.

The intensity of pain in the lower abdomen, as well as the duration of the rehabilitation period, the likelihood of early and late complications depend on how the artificial termination of an undeveloped pregnancy will be carried out in the early stages.

After termination of pregnancy, antibiotic therapy is carried out in one way or another. For this, the doctor prescribes special medications,whose action helps to strengthen the body's immune system.

After artificial termination of pregnancy, an ultrasound examination is necessary, the results of which will determine the success of the treatment.

If the representative of the weaker sex is in a bad emotional state, and there is a risk of developing depression, specialists can prescribe antidepressants, as well as tranquilizers. In any case, even if the woman's emotional state is normal, it is recommended to consult a qualified psychotherapist.

You need to understand that a new pregnancy can be planned after six months. Early conception can lead to serious consequences.

Possible consequences and complications

You need to understand that anembryony itself does not adversely affect the reproductive function of a woman.

This pathological phenomenon can lead to serious psychological problems. A woman may experience frequent insomnia, apathy, depressive states, as well as a loss of interest in the phenomena that are happening around. In addition, in some cases, the fair sex, after such a shock, may experience a fear of repeating the experience.

In addition, it is worth understanding that artificial termination of pregnancy is accompanied by certain risks. In the process of surgical manipulations and taking special drugs, complications may occur. A woman may experience bleeding from the uterine cavity, accompanied bysevere pain, as well as damage to the cervix. In addition, the consequence of the operation may be a rupture of the uterus and a violation of blood clotting. In exceptional cases, manipulations can cause the development of secondary infertility.

Toxic-infectious shock resulting from endometritis can lead to death. It should be understood that the mortality rate for induced medical abortions is less than one percent. The consequences of manipulations depend directly on the method of abortion and on the gestational age at which medical actions are carried out.

Forecast

The prognosis for a woman is favorable in most cases. After the procedure for artificial termination of pregnancy, it is very important for the fair sex to carefully monitor their he alth. If you experience the slightest discomfort in the lower abdomen in the genital area, you should immediately seek advice from a medical institution.

The next pregnancy should not be planned before six months. Pregnancy at an earlier date is fraught with serious consequences. In most cases, six months is enough for a full recovery of the body. Subsequent pregnancies usually proceed normally and end in term birth. The reappearance of anembryonia is possible when one or both spouses have any genetic diseases.

Prevention

There are no special measures to prevent anembryonia. To prevent the development of pathological pregnancy in men and womenrecommend the most responsible approach to planning future offspring.

Before the long-awaited pregnancy, both spouses need to be examined to rule out problems of the reproductive system. All existing diseases must be treated in advance, because during the period of bearing a child, diseases can worsen, causing discomfort to the expectant mother and endangering the he alth of the fetus.

To reduce the risk of developing anembryos, it is better to give up bad habits. It is necessary to give up cigarettes, excessive amounts of alcohol. The use of drugs is strictly prohibited. It is very important to lead a he althy lifestyle, eat right. Moderate physical activity, long walks in the fresh air are needed.

From the first days of pregnancy, a woman needs the supervision of a qualified specialist. During the period of bearing a child, it is necessary to abandon increased physical activity. Exercising for pregnant women is useful for both the expectant mother and the baby.

In repeated pregnancies, a woman is observed by a geneticist. If for the first time it was found that the cause was a hereditary factor, the couple is recommended to resort to the IVF procedure.

Instead of a conclusion

The phenomenon of anembryony is quite common. Non-developing pregnancy (ICD-10 code - O02.1) in the early stages occurs in fifteen percent of cases of reproductive losses. The exact cause of the empty egg syndrome has not yet been established. Risk factors include unhe althylifestyle, as well as malnutrition, the presence of genetic pathologies.

It's almost impossible to make a diagnosis by visual examination. Anembryony is detected during an ultrasound scan. There are no other effective diagnostic methods. And all because the signs of anembryonia are similar to the symptoms of the most common pregnancy. When should I have surgery?

It is best if the treatment is carried out before the 5th obstetric week of pregnancy. Artificial termination of pregnancy is carried out. Most often, for these purposes, special medications are used, the constituent components of which cause the rejection of an inferior fetal egg by the body. As a result of taking such funds, spontaneous miscarriage occurs. Another way is to perform a surgical operation, which includes curettage of the uterine cavity. Vacuum aspiration is an effective treatment for anembryonia. The timing of rehabilitation depends on which week the defective pregnancy was induced.

The pathology itself does not harm the female body and does not affect the reproductive function. As a rule, unpleasant consequences can be the result of improper treatment. That is why it is very important to contact a highly qualified specialist and be under his strict supervision throughout the entire period of treatment.