Elevated second-trimester human chorionic gonadotropin levels in association with poor pregnancy outcome

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 171; no. 4; pp. 1038 - 1041
• Main Authors: Wenstrom, Katharine D., Owen, John, Boots, Larry R., DuBard, Mary B.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 01.10.1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: alpha-Fetoproteins - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Chorionic Gonadotropin - blood; Female; Fetal Death - blood; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; human chorionic gonadotropin; Humans; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; Obstetric Labor, Premature - blood; Pre-Eclampsia - blood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - blood; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Prognosis; second trimester; second trimester; human chorionic gonadotropin; Pregnancy outcome; Second trimester; Pregnancy; Human; Prognosis; Mother; Gonadotropin; Hormonal investigation; Glycoprotein hormone; HCG; Placental hormone; Blood
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9378(94)90030-2

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether abnormal pregnancy outcome is associated with elevated maternal serum human chorionic gonad otropin levels. Study Design: Maternal serum a-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin levels were measured in stored second-trimester serum obtained before scheduled genetic amniocentesis from 126 women with poor pregnancy outcomes, excluding aneuploidy and structural abnormalities (complications group), and 126 matched women with normal outcomes (control group). Results: More women with complications had elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels (≥2.0 multiples of the median) (14%) than did control women (3%) (p = 0.01). Both elevated human chorionic gonadotropin and maternal serum α-fetoprotein levels were significantly associated with preterm delivery and fetal death. Elevated maternal serum α-fetoprotein was significantly associated with early postamniocentesis complications and fetal growth restriction, whereas elevated human chorionic gonadotropin was associated with preeclampsia. Conclusion: Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin, similar to unexplained elevated maternal serum α-fetoprotein, is significantly associated with abnormal pregnancy outcomes.