title: Ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in the United States has been reported to be as high as 20 per 1000 pregnancies, a more than 4-fold increase over the last 20 years. Clinical presentation can range from subtle, nonspecific abdominal complaints to acute onset pain or hemorrhagic bleeding. This article reviews the associated risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of ectopic pregnancy. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion whenever women who might be pregnant have abdominal complaints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, USA. jkriebs@umm.edu <jkriebs@umm.edu>
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kriebs
authors.forename: Jenifer O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Fahey
mesh_terms: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000451:nursing*; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human