Uterine anomaly and recurrent pregnancy loss

Semin Reprod Med. 2011 Nov;29(6):514-21. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1293205. Epub 2011 Dec 8.

Abstract

Women with recurrent pregnancy loss have a 3.2 to 6.9% likelihood of having a major uterine anomaly and a 1.0 to 16.9% chance of having an arcuate uterus. Bicornuate and septate uterine have a negative impact on reproductive outcomes and are associated with subsequent euploid miscarriage. The impact of an arcuate uterus on pregnancy outcome remains unclear. There are no definitive criteria to distinguish among the arcuate, septate, and bicornuate uteri. The American Fertility Society classification of Müllerian anomalies is the most common standardized classification of uterine anomalies. According to estimates, 65 to 85% of patients with bicornuate or septate uteri have a successful pregnancy outcome after metroplasty. However, 59.5% of the patients with such anomalies have a successful subsequent pregnancy without surgery, with a cumulative live birthrate of 78.0%. There is no case-control study to compare live birthrates in women who had surgery compared with those who did not. Strict criteria to distinguish between the bicornuate and septate uterus should be established. Further study is needed to confirm the benefits of metroplasty.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / etiology*
  • Abortion, Habitual / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Uterine Diseases / complications*
  • Uterine Diseases / epidemiology
  • Uterine Diseases / surgery
  • Uterus / abnormalities*