[Abdominal pregnancy with a living infant]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Abdominal pregnancy, a rare form of ectopic pregnancy, presents unique diagnostic and management challenges.
• Liveborn infants from abdominal pregnancies are exceptionally uncommon, particularly in developed countries like Denmark.
• Reviewing recent cases is crucial for understanding the clinical course and outcomes of this rare condition.

Observation:

• A full-term infant weighing 3,650g was delivered via Cesarean section under epidural analgesia.
• The diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy was not established prior to delivery.
• The placenta, adherent to the intestines, was intentionally left for spontaneous resorption.

Findings:

• The infant showed no congenital abnormalities.
• The placenta was gradually expelled over three months via an amnio-percutaneous fistula.
• This case represents one of five reported liveborn abdominal pregnancies in Denmark over the past 20 years.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential for successful live birth despite undiagnosed abdominal pregnancy.
• The natural resorption of the placenta, while lengthy, offers a conservative management option in select cases.
• Further research into the diagnosis and management of abdominal pregnancy is warranted to improve patient outcomes.