Ectopic pregnancy in a defined Saudi population

Abstract

Casesof ectopic pregnancies clinically had histopathologically confirmed and managed in the King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) over a five year period are presented. With a prevalence rate of 6.9 per 1000 deliveries, ectopic pregnancy was depicted as not so common in this region of the world, although there has been a rising trend of the condition over the years. Of the risk factors, infertility treatment (19.7%), use of IUCD (10.9%), PID (8.7%) and chlamydia infections (2.9%) were found to be associated. However, there may be a need for nationally based as well as case controlled studies to evaluate the risk factors in this major gynecological catastrophy which is often associated with a high maternal morbidity and mortality, pregnancy wastage and impairment of fertility.