How many women suffer from an ectopic

pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy occurs at a rate of about 1-2% of pregnancies and can occur in any sexually
active woman of reproductive age. The increase in incidence in the past few decades is thought
to be due to two factors:

1. increased incidence of salpingitis (infection of the Fallopian tube, usually due to a

sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as Chlamydia or gonorrhea), and
2. improved ability to detect ectopic pregnancies.

There is a marked increase in ectopic pregnancy rate with increasing age from 6.6 per 1000
pregnancies in women aged 15 to 24, to 21.5 per 1000 pregnancies in women aged 35 to 44.

Most ectopic pregnancies occur in women who have had more than one pregnancy. Only 10%
to 15% of ectopic pregnancies occur in women who have never been pregnant before.

In the United States, the rates are higher for non-white (about 30 in 1000, or 3 in 100,
pregnancies) than for white women.
Summary:

 About 1-2% of pregnancies are ectopic.

 Ectopic pregnancy can occur in any sexually active woman of reproductive age.
 More are being seen because (1) more salpingitis and (2) better ability to detect
ectopic pregnancies.
 Rates of ectopic pregnancy are higher in women who (1) are older, (2) have had
multiple pregnancies and/or (3) are non-white.
How many women die of ectopic pregnancies?
Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the first trimester of
pregnancy. There are more than 40 deaths per year in the United States. It accounts for about 10% of all
pregnancy-related deaths. However, the number of deaths per ectopic pregnancy is decreasing
dramatically because of earlier diagnosis and treatment. This death-to-case rate is 4 times higher in non-
white women. Because the incidence of ectopic pregnancy is also higher in black Americans, a pregnant
black woman is 5 times more likely to die of ectopic pregnancy than a white woman. It causes about 20%
of pregnancy-related deaths among black women.

Blood loss is the major cause (about 85%) of death in ectopic pregnancy. Misdiagnosis leading to delayed
treatment contributed to about half of the deaths.
Summary:

 In the first trimester, ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of pregnancy-
related deaths (causes 10% of such deaths).
 Earlier diagnosis and treatment is dramatically decreasing the number of deaths.
 A black American woman is 5 times more likely to die of an ectopic pregnancy
because it happens more often and is more dangerous.
 Most deaths (85%) are due to blood loss. Half of these deaths were due to delayed
treatment because of misdiagnosis.