Of the 8 pregnancies studied, 2 were of small gestational sacs with blighted ova and were associated with devices in which the copper wire had very high detectable X-ray emissions for copper (greater than 90%). In 2 other pregnancies intrauterine deaths had occurred by the time of termination at 13 and 17 weeks and copper levels in the products of conception were variable. There was no abnormality of the fetus in the term pregnancy but it seems possible that copper can affect the early growth and development of the embryo. On only 1 of the 8 devices was any great amount of calcium deposited and it is therefore considered unlikely that calcium deposition increases the risk of pregnancy by preventing the release of copper.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.