Blighted ovum

Blighted Ovum

A blighted ovum (pronounced: /ˈblaɪtɪd ˈoʊvəm/), also known as anembryonic pregnancy or anembryonic gestation, is a condition that occurs when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop. Cells develop to form the pregnancy sac, but not the embryo itself.

Etymology

The term "blighted ovum" comes from the word "blight", which in plant pathology means a disease that causes plants to wither and die. The term "ovum" is Latin for egg. The term thus refers to an "egg" that has "withered" or failed to develop.

Causes

A blighted ovum is often caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the fertilized egg. This is usually due to problems with the chromosomes of the sperm or egg that prevent the embryo from developing.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a blighted ovum may include vaginal bleeding, cramping, and the cessation of pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and breast tenderness.

Diagnosis

A blighted ovum is usually diagnosed through an ultrasound examination. If the ultrasound shows a pregnancy sac but no embryo after around the seventh week of pregnancy, a diagnosis of blighted ovum may be made.

Treatment

Treatment for a blighted ovum may include a procedure called a dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the pregnancy tissue. In some cases, the body will naturally expel the pregnancy tissue on its own, a process known as a miscarriage.

Related Terms

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Molar pregnancy
• Chemical pregnancy

See Also

• Pregnancy
• Fertilization
• Embryo
• Chromosome

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Blighted ovum
• Wikipedia's article - Blighted ovum

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