ABSTRACT
The incidence of EP has increased markedly in the last few decades to 11.1 per 1000 pregnancies and it remains one of the major causes of maternal death. The Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the UK (CEMD; 1997-1999) reports 12 deaths associated with EP, giving a death rate of 0.4 per 1000 EPs. There are well-established risk factors, the strongest risk being a history of previous EP, tubal surgery or in-utero diethystilboestrol exposure. EP rates are also strongly linked to trends in pelvic inflammatory disease and in particular Chlamydial infection. EP is associated with assisted reproductive techniques (e.g. IVF). However, the diagnosis of EP should be considered in ALL women of reproductive age with abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or collapse.
