What are the reasons for embryonic arrest with no fetal heartbeat?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on February 24, 2025
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Embryonic arrest without a fetal heartbeat can be caused by many factors. For example, taking medications prohibited during pregnancy, exposure to harmful substances, radiation, or infections with bacteria or viruses during pregnancy. Other factors include genetic issues and poor emotional state of the pregnant woman during pregnancy. All these factors can affect the normal development of the embryo. If an ultrasound examination reveals no fetal heartbeat, it can be determined that the embryo has ceased to develop, and prompt treatment should be carried out.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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How to preserve a pregnancy after embryonic arrest

Embryonic arrest, also known as missed miscarriage, refers to a condition during early pregnancy where if no fetal heartbeat is detected by ultrasound during weeks 8 to 9 of pregnancy, it should be diagnosed as embryonic arrest. Embryonic arrest indicates that the gestational sac has ceased to live, and in such cases, efforts to preserve the pregnancy are pointless as they are meaningless. However, it is important to analyze the reasons behind embryonic arrest to guide future pregnancies. Common causes of embryonic arrest include abnormalities in chromosomes, infections, immunity, and rheumatological markers. When embryonic arrest occurs, tests should be conducted targeting these indicators to clearly identify the abnormal factors, thereby guiding and potentially increasing the success rate of subsequent pregnancies.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can embryonic arrest be prevented in advance?

There are no absolute methods in medicine to prevent embryonic arrest in advance, but we can intervene to some extent, such as by conducting pre-pregnancy check-ups. Both spouses should undergo comprehensive examinations at a hospital to see if there are any physical abnormalities that could affect pregnancy. It is also important to avoid exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, such as working with hazardous materials, exposure to radiation, and consuming contaminated food. Additionally, pregnant individuals should quit smoking, abstain from alcohol, relax, maintain an optimistic attitude, and actively exercise to enhance their immune system.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can an ultrasound detect an embryonic arrest?

Embryonic arrest refers to a condition in early pregnancy where no fetal heartbeat appears in the gestational sac. The diagnostic criteria mainly include the lack of observable primitive heart tube pulsation via ultrasound after two months of pregnancy, at which point embryonic arrest can be confirmed. The definitive diagnosis of embryonic arrest is primarily through ultrasound. The following situations observed during an ultrasound can lead to a diagnosis of embryonic arrest: 1. If the diameter of the gestational sac exceeds three centimeters without a clear fetal heartbeat or embryo visible inside, it can be diagnosed as embryonic arrest. 2. If an embryo is already present and approximately 10 days after the appearance of the embryo, an ultrasound still does not show a fetal heartbeat, this situation can also be determined as embryonic arrest.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can a miscarried embryo be expelled naturally?

Embryonic arrest refers to the lack of natural development of the gestational sac in early pregnancy, characterized by the absence of a fetal heartbeat. If there is still no fetal heartbeat or embryo detected during an ultrasound at 8-9 weeks of pregnancy, it should be diagnosed as embryonic arrest. After embryonic arrest occurs, the vast majority require medical intervention. Of course, some cases of embryonic arrest can resolve naturally, leading to a miscarriage. However, this is not a reliable occurrence and is relatively rare in clinical practice. Moreover, the longer the wait, the greater the potential harm to the woman's health. For embryonic arrest, once diagnosed, it is urgent to intervene medically to remove the gestational sac from the uterus, minimizing harm to the woman. Common methods include medical abortion or a dilation and curettage surgery, either of which can be chosen.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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What happens if there is embryonic arrest without miscarriage?

If an embryo stops developing but is not miscarried, the retained embryonic tissue can disrupt the clotting function in the pregnant woman’s body over time, leading to a condition called a missed miscarriage. Therefore, after a missed miscarriage occurs, it is important to check the duration it has been retained. If it has been a considerable amount of time, clotting function should be examined. If clotting is still within normal ranges, it is crucial to expedite the process allowing the woman to expel the non-viable embryonic tissue as soon as possible, which is beneficial for her health.