What is a blighted ovum?

Ann Genet. 1993;36(2):107-10

Cytogenetic findings in echographically defined blighted ovum abortions.Minelli E,Buchi C,Granata P,Meroni E,Righi R, Portentoso P,Giudici A,Ercoli A,Sartor MG,Rossi A, et al.

Laboratorio Analisi, Sezione di Genetica, Ospedale di Circolo, Varese Italy. A sample of 52 spontaneous blighted ovum abortions (BO) was examined cytogenetically and compared with a sample of abortions with echographic evidence of the embryo (AE). Abnormal karyotypes were 67% in the BO sample and 53% in the AE sample, a non significant difference. In the BO abortions trisomies were 74% of the abnormal karyotypes but 35% in the AE abortion, and the 45,X karyotype was absent among the BO but was found in 10 cases of AE. The prevalence of trisomies 16 and 22 in the BO abortions indicates that genes on these chromosome may be responsible for the early arrest of embryonic development.

Please click on the required question.

• 1  What is a miscarriage?
• 2  What are the different types of miscarriage?
• 3  How accurate are pregnancy tests?
• 4 What is a blighted ovum?
• 5 I have had a hydatidiform mole. What is this?
• 6 Why did I have a spontaneous miscarriage?
• 7 How frequently do miscarriages occur?
• 8 I am miscarrying. How should this be treated?
• 8a Can miscarriage result in anxiety and depression?
•  9 What is meant by recurrent miscarriage?
• 10 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What is the chance of my next pregnancy being successful?
• Q 12.11 Recurrent Miscarriage I have miscarried again. Why does this keep happening?
• 12 What congenital problems might be associated with recurrent miscarriage and how could they be treated?
• 13 What traumatic conditions can cause recurrent miscarriage and how can they be treated?
• 14 Can infection cause recurrent miscarriage and would treatment help?
• 15 Could a metabolic disorder cause recurrent miscarriage?
• 16 Could a hormonal problem account for recurrent miscarriage and would hormone treatment help me?
• 17 Could an autoimmune problem cause recurrent miscarriage and how could this be treated?
• 18 Could a tumour cause recurrent miscarriage?
• 19 What degenerative processes may be associated with recurrent miscarriage?
• 20 After every miscarriage I become more depressed. Could this account for the problem?
• 21 Is it always possible to explain recurrent miscarriage?
• 22 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What treatment is available to ensure that this does not happen again?
• 23 What is an ectopic pregnancy?
• 24 How frequently do ectopic pregnancies occur?
• 25 Why do ectopic pregnancies occur?
• 26 How can an ectopic pregnancy be diagnosed?
• 27 How can an ectopic pregnancy be treated?
• 28 Where can I obtain more information?
• 29 Support Groups.
  

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, retired Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.

- Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.

The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.