Effect of size and site of subchorionic hemorrhage detected by ultrasonography on pregnancy loss during first trimester

Abstract Background and Aim Subchorionic hemorrhage is routinely diagnosed on ultrasonography mostly in the first three months of pregnancy. The aim of this study is to assess effect of size and site of subchorionic hemorrhage detected by ultrasonography on pregnancy loss during first trimester. Patients and Methods In this longitudinal study a total of 229 patients with the SCH detected in first trimester of pregnancy were observed. The volume of SCH and its site was evaluated on ultrasound using transvaginal probe along with other factors and then pregnancy loss or no loss was recorded at follow-up at the end of first trimester. Results Among 200 patients who retained their pregnancy, SCH was located in the fundal site in 57 cases, anterior wall in 71, and in posterior wall in 72. Of the 29 patients who experienced pregnancy loss, 9 had fundal SCH, 11 anterior, and 9 posterior. There was a significant difference in SCH volume between groups; those with pregnancy loss had larger volumes ( P < 0.001), indicating a strong association between SCH size and pregnancy outcome. Conclusion In patients diagnosed with SCH in the first trimester, pregnancy loss depends upon size of SCH while other factors are not independently associated.