Heterotopic pregnancy
Heterotopic Pregnancy
Heterotopic pregnancy (pronunciation: /ˌhɛtəˈrɒtɪk/ /ˈprɛɡnənsi/) is a rare condition in which both intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies occur simultaneously.
Etymology
The term "heterotopic" is derived from the Greek words "heteros" meaning different and "topos" meaning place. The term "pregnancy" is derived from the Latin word "praegnans" meaning with child.
Definition
A heterotopic pregnancy is a clinical condition where an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus) and a normal intrauterine pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs inside the uterus) coexist. This condition is considered a medical emergency due to the life-threatening complications associated with ectopic pregnancies.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a heterotopic pregnancy are similar to those of a regular ectopic pregnancy and may include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and signs of pregnancy such as missed periods, nausea, and breast tenderness.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a heterotopic pregnancy can be challenging as the presence of an intrauterine pregnancy can mask the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy. The diagnosis is usually confirmed through ultrasound imaging and hCG levels.
Treatment
Treatment for heterotopic pregnancy typically involves surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy while preserving the intrauterine pregnancy. In some cases, medication may be used to treat the ectopic pregnancy.
Related Terms
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus.
- Intrauterine Pregnancy: A pregnancy that occurs inside the uterus.
- Ultrasound: A diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize internal body structures.
- hCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heterotopic pregnancy
- Wikipedia's article - Heterotopic pregnancy
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski