Prediction of First‐Trimester Miscarriage from Embryonic Bradycardia and Embryonic Growth Delay

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether subsequent and simultaneous measurements of embryonic heart rate (EHR) and crown-rump length (CRL) are useful in predicting miscarriage. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on miscarriages with detectable embryonic heart rate (n = 33). Chromosomal tests were carried out in 9 of 33 cases. RESULT: In cases with embryonic bradycardia and/or embryonic growth delay, the mean CRL was 6.6 mm (n = 16), and embryonic death occurred at CRL values under 20 mm. In cases where neither bradycardia nor growth delay was detected, the CRL was 23.9 mm (n = 17) at embryonic death. Chromosomal abnormalities were present as triploidy (n = 5) and trisomy-16 (n = 2) in both and embryonic-growth-delay cases. CONCLUSION: Subsequent and simultaneous measurements of EHR and CRL are useful in predicting miscarriage in the first trimester, especially when the CRL is under 20 mm.