Peru Achieves Medical Milestone with Full-Term Baby Born from Rare Liver Ectopic Pregnancy
LIMA, Peru — In a remarkable medical achievement, a multidisciplinary team of doctors in Peru has successfully managed an extraordinarily rare ectopic pregnancy where the placenta was attached to the mother’s liver, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby girl after a full 40-week gestation period. This case, confirmed by Peruvian health authorities, represents the first documented instance in Peru and only the fourth worldwide where both mother and child survived a hepatic ectopic pregnancy to full term.
The mother, 19-year-old Valeria Vela, delivered her daughter Aylin on November 30 at Cayetano Heredia Hospital in Lima. Weighing 7.9 pounds at birth, Aylin is reported to be in good health. The pregnancy posed exceptional challenges because the placenta was embedded in the liver, a location that typically makes continuation of pregnancy impossible due to the risk of fatal hemorrhage.
Health Minister Luis Quiroz Avilés explained that the surgical team faced a high-risk scenario because removing the placenta from the liver could trigger life-threatening bleeding. To mitigate this, doctors employed advanced interventional radiology techniques, including embolization — the deliberate closure of arteries supplying blood to the placenta — effectively preventing hemorrhage during delivery. This approach reflects cutting-edge practices endorsed by experts in managing complex ectopic pregnancies.
Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, with approximately 96% found in fallopian tubes and about 4% in the abdominal cavity. Hepatic ectopic pregnancies, where implantation occurs on the liver, are exceedingly rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such cases typically require early termination due to severe risks. What distinguishes this case is the pregnancy’s progression to full term, a milestone only achieved in three previous cases worldwide, all of which reached up to 36 weeks.
Throughout the pregnancy, Vela’s condition was closely monitored with highly complex clinical management. The decision to continue the pregnancy rather than interrupt it early or mid-term was unprecedented and required collaboration across obstetrics, surgery, and interventional radiology specialties. The success of this approach was hailed by Peruvian officials as a “medical feat” and an important advancement in obstetric care.
Specialists caution, however, that this case does not alter standard medical protocols. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continues to recommend early detection and treatment of ectopic pregnancies to prevent severe complications, including hemorrhage and maternal mortality. Carrying an ectopic pregnancy to term remains extremely rare and risky.
Following the delivery, Vela was discharged in stable condition, and both mother and baby are now reportedly doing well. The case has drawn international attention for its rarity and the innovative medical techniques that made it possible. It underscores the importance of multidisciplinary care and advanced interventional methods in managing complex pregnancies.
For more information about ectopic pregnancies and maternal health, the World Health Organization provides resources and guidelines aimed at improving outcomes for mothers worldwide.
This unprecedented case from Peru highlights the evolving capabilities of modern medicine to confront even the most challenging obstetric scenarios, offering hope for future patients facing similarly rare conditions.
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