Correlation between fetal heart rate, crown-rump length, and β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels during the first trimester of well-timed conceptions resulting from infertility treatment

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 59; no. 6; pp. 1169 - 1173
• Main Authors: Rotsztejn, Daniel, Rana, Nasiruddin, Paul Dmowski, W.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.06.1993; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chorionic Gonadotropin - blood; crown-rump growth curve; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Fertilization; Fetal heart rate; Fetus - anatomy & histology; first trimester β-hCG pattern; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Heart Rate, Fetal; Humans; Infertility, Female - therapy; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; Pregnancy - blood; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; first trimester β-hCG pattern; crown-rump growth curve; Fetal heart rate; Human; Prognosis; Growth; Assisted procreation; First trimester; Gonadotropin; Fecundation; HCG; In vitro; Placental hormone; Pregnancy; Heart rate; In vitro fertilization embryo transfer; Female; Fetus
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)55971-8

To evaluate sequential changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) during the first trimester of well-timed pregnancies resulting from infertility treatment and to correlate the data with fetal growth curve and β-hCG levels. Serial measurements of FHR, crown-rump length (CRL) and β-hCG at weekly intervals throughout the first trimester in 67 consecutive conceptions, resulting from infertility treatment. The day of preovulatory LH surge or of exogenous hCG administration was known in each case. Hospital based and private assisted reproductive technology centers. Mean FHR was 108±12, 26 to 30days after LH/hCG (5weeks, 4days from last menstrual period [LMP]) in embryos 3±0.3mm in size; the FHR gradually increased, reaching a peak of 177±10 on days 51 to 55 (9weeks from LMP) in embryos of 23±5.5mm; it decreased to 156±5 on days 76 to 80 (12weeks, 5days from LMP) in embryos of 62±5.7mm. There was, previously not reported, high level correlation between β-hCG and FHR during the entire first trimester and positive correlation between FHR and CRL during the first 55days from conception. During the first trimester of pregnancy, FHR closely follows β-hCG pattern. Correlation between β-hCG and FHR is an interesting phenomenon that needs further investigation.