Prediction of first-trimester miscarriage from embryonic bradycardia and embryonic growth delay.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether subsequent and simultaneous measurements of embryonic heart rate (EHR) and crown-rump length (CRL) are useful in predicting miscarriage.


METHODS
A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on miscarriages with detectable embryonic heart rate (n = 33). Chromosomal tests were carried out in 9 of 33 cases.


RESULTS
In cases with embryonic bradycardia and/or embryonic growth delay, the mean CRL was 6.6 mm (n = 16), and embryonic death occurred at CRL values under 20 mm. In cases where neither bradycardia nor growth delay was detected, the CRL was 23.9 mm (n = 17) at embryonic death. Chromosomal abnormalities were present as triploidy (n = 5) and trisomy-16 (n = 2) in both and embryonic-growth-delay cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Subsequent and simultaneous measurements of EHR and CRL are useful in predicting miscarriage in the first trimester, especially when the CRL is under 20 mm.
Ikegawa
A
A
Ikegawa Clinic, Yokohama, Japan.
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography