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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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A Novel Use of Three-dimensional High-frequency Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Characterization in the Mouse
Published on: October 24, 2017
Chorionic bumps in early pregnancy and their link to miscarriage
Melanie Norton1, Jude Hamilton2
1Guy's & St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Rd, London, SE1 7EH, UK. Melanie.norton1@nhs.net.
Journal of Ultrasound
|August 10, 2026
Summary
Chorionic bumps in early pregnancy significantly increase miscarriage risk, nearly sevenfold higher than the baseline rate. This finding highlights chorionic bumps as a crucial prognostic marker for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Chorionic bumps are uncommon findings during first-trimester ultrasounds.
- Their significance in predicting pregnancy outcomes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the miscarriage risk associated with chorionic bumps.
- To compare this risk against the established miscarriage rate in an Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with confirmed chorionic bumps (January 2020-May 2025).
- Outcomes were compared to the EPU's baseline miscarriage rate.
- Secondary analyses examined maternal age, subchorionic hematoma (SCH), and bump size as predictors.
Main Results:
- 81 out of 151 pregnancies (53.6%) with a chorionic bump resulted in miscarriage.
- This rate is significantly higher than the EPU baseline of 14.2%, representing a near sevenfold increase in odds.
- Bump size and SCH presence did not impact outcomes, while advanced maternal age showed a slight association.
Conclusions:
- A chorionic bump is a significant clinical indicator of increased miscarriage risk.
- This prognostic value is independent of bump size or the presence of a subchorionic hematoma.
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