Missed abortion is defined as?

• A. The fetus dies during the first 20 weeks of gestation but remains in utero
• B. The fetus dies after 20 weeks and is expelled
• C. The fetus dies during labor
• D. The fetus is still alive but with severe anomalies

Answer: (A)

Missed abortion occurs when the fetus dies in early pregnancy but the products of conception are retained in the uterus with the cervix still closed and no tissue is expelled. This situation is typically before about 20 weeks gestation. Diagnosis is often by ultrasound, showing no fetal heartbeat despite a positive pregnancy test and lack of symptoms like heavy bleeding or tissue passage. Management aims to remove the dead tissue to prevent infection or other complications, and can be done medically with misoprostol or surgically with suction curettage, depending on gestational age and patient preference.