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  |  Pregnancy  |  Complications  |  What is a blighted ovum?
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What is a blighted ovum?

by Dr Howard Lee

question
I recently had an ultrasound which revealed my pregnancy to be a blighted ovum. What does this mean?

answer
Unfortunately, at least 15% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most of these cause bleeding as the products of conception are expelled. Studies have been made, as always in an effort to determine causes, which show that in about 60% of cases the ovum is defective and has failed to develop, or the foetus is malformed. Often the defect occurs at the actual time of conception. As the defect affects all parts of the ovum, implantation into the wall of the womb is inadequate and foetal development is impaired. This condition is then termed a ‘blighted ovum’, and it is clearly visible through ultrasound examination.
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