Investigation of Embryoscopy in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

In this project, embryoscopy will be evaluated in women with missed abortions (pregnancies which have ceased developing and in which the embryo is dead), after at least two previous (recurrent) miscarriages. The procedure will have two main purposes:- To allow the diagnosis of structural anomalies (disorganized embryos), and to allow an accurate biopsy of embryonic tissue for karyotyping. Hence, this procedure will lead to a more accurate diagnosis of the cause of recurrent miscarriage.

After confirmation of missed abortion by ultrasound, dilatation and curettage (D&C) is normally performed under general anesthetic to evacuate the uterus in missed abortions. In this project embryoscopy will be added to the standard D&C. An 8mm hysteroscope with irrigation channel and 300 view will be used with continuous saline flow. The embryo will be visualized, and the findings recorded. Biopsies will be taken for chromosomal analysis from the embryo and the placental villi. Embryoscopy will be performed with a hysteroscope which is in normal clinical use for investigating the uterine cavity, but for a slightly different indication.

The first stage will be a pilot study on 20 patients to judge the value of embryoscopy.

Inclusion criteria

• Recurrent miscarriage, (at least 2 consecutive miscarriages)
• Confirmation of missed abortion by ultrasound
• At least 5 1/2 weeks of gestation
• D & C is clinically indicated

Exclusion criteria

• Sporadic miscarriages
• Less than two consecutive miscarriages.
• If D & C is not clinically indicated