A Scoping Review of Risk Factors and Implantation Sites in Ectopic Pregnancy

Halfie Zaqiyah Gusti Puspitasari(1), Agung Subakti Nuzulullail(2*), Dwina Oktavia Deli(3), Elsi Dwi Hapsari(4), Wiwin Lismidiati(5)


(1) Universitas Gadjah Mada
(2) Universitas Gadjah Mada
(3) Universitas Gadjah Mada
(4) Universitas Gadjah Mada
(5) Universitas Gadjah Mada
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


Ectopic pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy is an obstetric condition with serious clinical consequences. This study aims to map the risk factors and location of ectopic pregnancy implantation based on the latest evidence. The design of this study is a scoping review with literature searches conducted on May 20–23, 2025, through ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest. Inclusion criteria included open-access original articles published between 2020 and 2025 that reported risk factors and implantation sites for ectopic pregnancy. Theoretical articles and instrument development studies were excluded. The selection and synthesis process followed the PRISMA-ScR (2020) guidelines, the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist (2020), and the Guidance for Conducting Systematic Scoping Reviews (2015). Of the 5,519 articles identified, eight studies with observational (n=7) and cross-sectional (n=1) designs met the criteria. The synthesis results showed that a history of previous ectopic pregnancy was the most consistently reported risk factor, followed by a history of surgery and infertility. The most common implantation site was the fallopian tube, particularly in the ampulla, fimbria, and isthmus. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive identification of risk factors to support more effective prevention, early detection, and long-term management strategies

Keywords


ectopic pregnancy; extrauterine pregnancy; risk factor; tubal pregnancy; ovarian pregnancy

Full Text:

PDF

References


Chong KY, de Waard L, Oza M, van Wely M, Jurkovic D, Memtsa M, et al. Ectopic pregnancy. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2024;10:94. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-024-00579-x.

Zhang S, Liu J, Yang L, Li H, Tang J, Hong L. Global burden and trends of ectopic pregnancy: An observational trend study from 1990 to 2019. PLoS One 2023;18:e0291316. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291316.

Bo W, Qianyu Z, Mo L. Global, Regional, and National Burden of Ectopic Pregnancy: A 30-Year Observational Database Study. Int J Clin Pract 2023;2023:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3927337.

Mackay S, Layden E, Madhra M. Ectopic pregnancy. Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Med 2023;33:81–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogrm.2023.01.004.

Mullany K, Minneci M, Monjazeb R, C. Coiado O. Overview of ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, management, and innovation. Women’s Health 2023;19. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057231160349.

Pillai DrAS, RS DrCS. Incidence, diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancies: A review. International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2020;4:220–3. https://doi.org/10.33545/gynae.2020.v4.i5d.708.

Jeffers K, Koyfman A, Long B. Updates in emergency medicine: Ectopic pregnancy. Am J Emerg Med 2024;85:90–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2024.09.005.

Lee IT, Barnhart KT. What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy? JAMA 2023;329:434. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.22941.

Abdalla M. Delayed Presentation of Ectopic Pregnancy on Top of Missed Miscarriage: Case Report. Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 2024;11:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/2314808X.2023.2298549.

Jia L, Li W, Liu Y, Wang L. Psychologic Sequelae in Early Pregnancy Complications. Int J Womens Health 2023;Volume 15:51–7. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S382677.

Quenby S, Gallos ID, Dhillon-Smith RK, Podesek M, Stephenson MD, Fisher J, et al. Miscarriage matters: the epidemiological, physical, psychological, and economic costs of early pregnancy loss. The Lancet 2021;397:1658–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00682-6.

Smart G, Tai A, Wong JC, Oliver R, Odejinmi F. Social prevalence of knowledge about ectopic pregnancy – tip of the ‘health inequalities’ iceberg? J Obstet Gynaecol (Lahore) 2021;41:428–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2020.1741521.

Di Gennaro D, Damiani GR, Muzzupapa G, Stomati M, Cicinelli R, Gaetani M, et al. Ectopic Pregnancy: An Overview. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 2022;49. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog4912262.

Westphaln KK, Regoeczi W, Masotya M, Vazquez-Westphaln B, Lounsbury K, McDavid L, et al. From Arksey and O’Malley and Beyond: Customizations to enhance a team-based, mixed approach to scoping review methodology. MethodsX 2021;8:101375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2021.101375.

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Syst Rev 2021;10:89. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4.

Moola S, Munn Z, Tufanaru C, Aromataris E, Sears K, Sfetcu R, et al. Chapter 7: Systematic reviews of etiology and risk . In: Aromataris E, Munn Z (Editors). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. . Joana Briggs Institute; 2020.

Peters MDJ, Godfrey CM, Khalil H, McInerney P, Parker D, Soares CB. Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Int J Evid Based Healthc 2015;13:141–6. https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050.

Wang X, Huang L, Yu Y, Xu S, Lai Y, Zeng W. Risk factors and clinical characteristics of recurrent ectopic pregnancy: A case–control study. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 2020;46:1098–103. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14253.

Andola S, kumar R R, Desai RM, S.A krutika. Study of Risk factors and treatment modalities of ectopic pregnancy. J Family Med Prim Care 2021;10:724–9. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1279_20.

Trindade VD, Hentschke MR, Dornelles VC, Ferri-Guerra J, Kira ATF, Colombo T, et al. Tubal factor, cleavage stage and more than one embryo transferred were risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy after assisted reproductive treatment. JBRA Assist Reprod 2021. https://doi.org/10.5935/1518-0557.20210074.

Murtinger M, Wirleitner B, Schuff M, Damko AR, Vanderzwalmen P, Stecher A, et al. Suboptimal endometrial-embryonal synchronization is a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy in assisted reproduction techniques. Reprod Biomed Online 2020;41:254–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.03.018.

Lin M, Xu W, Liang M, Yang S, Li R. Ectopic Pregnancy History as an Independent Factor Associated with Recurring Ectopic Pregnancy in Women with Bilateral Salpingectomies. A Matched-Pair Study of IVF Patients. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 2024;51. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog5103076.

Ji J-S, Liu L, Huang H, Chen H-W, Xiao L, Lu X-Y, et al. The body mass index and the risk of ectopic pregnancy: a 5-year retrospective case-control study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024;24:143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06319-z.

Huang L-J, Zheng Q, Wang X-J, Zhong Z-H, Fu L-J, Lv X-Y, et al. Effect of endometrial thickness on the risk of ectopic pregnancy for frozen embryo transfer. Reproductive and Developmental Medicine 2024;8:75–81. https://doi.org/10.1097/RD9.0000000000000087.

Nalini N, Singh KA, S N, Kumari A. Clinical Profile, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Ectopic Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Prospective Indian Study. Cureus 2023. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.49483.

Houser M, Kandalaft N, Khati NJ. Ectopic pregnancy: a resident’s guide to imaging findings and diagnostic pitfalls. Emerg Radiol 2022;29:161–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-021-01974-7.

Brim ACS, Barretto VRD, Reis‐Oliveira JG, da Silveira de Araújo RB, Romeo ACDCB. Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy occurrence: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 2025;168:919–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.15965.

Hendriks E, Rosenberg R, Prine L. Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician 2020;101:599–606.

Ucisik-Keser FE, Matta EJ, Fabrega MG, Chandrasekhar C, Chua SS. The many faces of ectopic pregnancies: demystifying the common and less common entities. Abdominal Radiology 2021;46:1104–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02681-6.

Singh J, Kaur M, Rasane P, Kaur S, Kaur J, Sharma K, et al. Nutritional management and interventions in complications of pregnancy: A systematic review. Nutr Health 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/02601060231172545.

Mahajan N, Raina R, Sharma P. Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy: A Case-Control Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir. Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine 2021;3:293–9. https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0048.

Chong KY, de Waard L, Oza M, van Wely M, Jurkovic D, Memtsa M, et al. Ectopic pregnancy. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2024;10:94. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-024-00579-x.

Gizaw NT, K/Mariam MA, Fayera MG. Magnitude of ectopic pregnancy, management methods, and its associated factors among pregnant women attending Ambo University Referral Hospital in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: A seven years retrospective institutional based cross-sectional study. PLOS Global Public Health 2025;5:e0004611. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004611.

Mullany K, Minneci M, Monjazeb R, C. Coiado O. Overview of ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, management, and innovation. Women’s Health 2023;19. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057231160349.

Matorras R, Zallo A, Hernandez-Pailos R, Ferrando M, Quintana F, Remohi J, et al. Cervical pregnancy in assisted reproduction: an analysis of risk factors in 91,067 ongoing pregnancies. Reprod Biomed Online 2020;40:355–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.12.011.

Angielczyk J, Bianconi K, Vekaria D, Leibowitz J, Li JY, Secko M. Utilization of Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Identify a Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy. Vis J Emerg Med 2025;39:102271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visj.2025.102271.

Marlina D, Sutrisno, Tjandraprawira K, Aziz MA. Unintended and ectopic pregnancy in woman with iud translocation with history of two times previous cesarean section and history of spontaneous abortion: Case report. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2024;12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050313X241258840.

Belouad M, Benlghazi A, Messaoudi H, Benali S, El Hassani MM, Kouach J. Case report: Ectopic pregnancy at the level of broad ligament: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2025;126:110736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.110736.

Lamuwalla M, Panjwani S, Ismail A, Samji S, Kaguta M, Jaiswal S. Interstitial ectopic pregnancy, a rare clinical phenomenon diagnosed asymptomatically on routine work up in Tanzania: Case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2025;126:110688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.110688.

Saif M, Alahmar S, Saif A, Al Halabi N, Adwan D, Altanoukhi I. Rectal ectopic pregnancy: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2024;119:109798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109798.

Farren J, Al Wattar BH, Jurkovic D. The diagnosis and management of extrauterine and uterine ectopic pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update 2026;32:2–32. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmaf024.

Papageorgiou D, Sapantzoglou I, Prokopakis I, Zachariou E. Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy: From Diagnosis to Treatment. Biomedicines 2025;13:1465. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13061465.

Synnott D, Leitao S, Everard C, O’Donoghue K, Hayes-Ryan D. Management of tubal ectopic pregnancy in a large maternity unit; a six-year review. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2025;308:174–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.02.058.

Perlman BE, Guerrero K, Karsalia R, Heller DS. Reproductive outcomes following a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care 2020;25:206–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2020.1755032.

Baggio S, Garzon S, Russo A, Ianniciello CQ, Santi L, Laganà AS, et al. Fertility and reproductive outcome after tubal ectopic pregnancy: comparison among methotrexate, surgery and expectant management. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2021;303:259–68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-020-05749-2.

Cooper M, Cameron S. Contraception after abortion, miscarriage, ectopic and molar pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2024;92:102428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102428.

Iroh N, Nuraini DN. Analysis of Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Ectopic Pregnancy: Risk Factors, Early Detection, and Preventive Strategies. International Journal on ObGyn and Health Sciences 2025;3:60–9. https://doi.org/10.35335/obgyn.v3i2.207.

Manohar N, Ramanujam SL. Ectopic pregnancy: an analysis of risk factors, diagnosis and management. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2025;14:791–6. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20250506.

Teka H, Ebrahim MM, Yahya M, Abera BT, Berhe E, Abraha HE, et al. Prevalence, Clinical Profile, and Outcomes of Ectopic Pregnancy at a Teaching Hospital in a Low‐Resource Setting, Northern Ethiopia: A 5‐Year Retrospective Chart Review. J Pregnancy 2026;2026. https://doi.org/10.1155/jp/8791113.

Kulp JL, Barnhart KT. Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis and Management. Women’s Health 2008;4:79–87. https://doi.org/10.2217/17455057.4.1.79.

Balbás BPB, Balbás LAB, Rivera AP. Contraceptive Methods and the Subsequent Search for a Pregnancy. ., InTech; 2018. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72525.

Pazol K, Zapata LB, Tregear SJ, Mautone-Smith N, Gavin LE. Impact of Contraceptive Education on Contraceptive Knowledge and Decision Making. Am J Prev Med 2015;49:S46–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.03.031.

Esu EB, Okpon EI. Knowledge of risk factors for ectopic pregnancy among female undergraduates in Southeastern Nigeria. Calabar J Health Sci 2020;4:8. https://doi.org/10.25259/CJHS_15_2020.

Rubio XB, Kresak J, Zona M, Beal SG, Ross JA. Educational Case: Ectopic Pregnancy. Acad Pathol 2020;7:2374289520911184. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374289520911184.

Haven L, Roe SJ. Educational Case: Ectopic pregnancy and its relation to pelvic infections. Acad Pathol 2025;12:100168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100168.


Article Metrics

Abstract view : 84 times
PDF - 3 times

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26714/mki.9.1.2026.93-106

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Halfie Zaqiyah Gusti Puspitasari, Agung Subakti Nuzulullail, Dwina Oktavia Deli, Elsi Dwi Hapsari, Wiwin Lismidiati

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This journal is indexed by:

              

 

View My Stats 

Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang and PPNI Jawa Tengah

Kedungmundu Raya No. 18 Semarang NRC Building Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang

Phone: 02476740287
Fax: 02476740287
Email: [email protected]