Superfetation after ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination performed during an unknown ectopic pregnancy
Received 21 April 2009; received in revised form 11 May 2009; accepted 4 January 2010. published online 08 March 2010.
Abstract
This report describes the first case of superfetation after ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins and intrauterine insemination (IUI) that were performed in the presence of an undiagnosed tubal pregnancy. A 32-year-old woman who underwent repeated attempts of ovarian stimulation and IUI was hospitalized for severe pelvic pain and submitted to laparoscopic salpingectomy because of ruptured salpynx containing a 6-week pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasound examination showed a simultaneous intrauterine 2-week pregnancy that had been conceived by ovarian stimulation and IUI while the tubal pregnancy was already ongoing and still undiagnosed. The intrauterine pregnancy went on until term and ended with the spontaneous delivery of a healthy baby. This report demonstrates that human superfetation may occur after gonadotrophin treatment and IUI in the presence of an ongoing tubal pregnancy. It is recommended to perform a pregnancy test before starting ovulation induction even when an apparently normal blood discharge appeared.
Declaration: The authors report no financial or commercial conflicts of interest.
aReproductive Medicine and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrical and Gynecological Sciences, University of Turin, OIRM-S Anna Hospital, Turin, Italy
bUMF Unit, Department of Obstetrical and Gynecological Sciences, University of Turin, OIRM-S Anna Hospital, Turin, Italy
Corresponding author.
Dr Teresa Lantieri completed her studies in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Pavia Medical School. In 2004, she worked as a visiting fellow in the Department of Gynecology and Sterility, University of Alicante, Spain. She is currently a resident fellow in the University of Turin, Italy, specializing in Gynecology and Obstetrics, and she actively collaborates with the Reproductive Medicine and IVF units there.
ABSTRACT
Dr Teresa Lantieri completed her studies in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Pavia Medical School. In 2004, she worked as a visiting fellow in the Department of Gynecology and Sterility, University of Alicante, Spain. She is currently a resident fellow in the University of Turin, Italy, specializing in Gynecology and Obstetrics, and she actively collaborates with the Reproductive Medicine and IVF units there.