Sigal Heifetz

First Trimester Maternal Serum Free Human Chorionic Gonadotropin as a Predictor of Adverse Pregnancy Outcome

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether abnormal levels of first trimester maternal serum free human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) are predictive of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: The study included 1,622 consecutive patients with singleton pregnancies who underwent first trimester Down syndrome screening using nuchal translucency, and maternal serum free β-hCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A. Patients with fetal anomalies or chromosome aberrations were excluded from the study. The incidences of various adverse pregnancy outcomes were evaluated according to maternal serum free β-hCG levels. Outcome variables included spontaneous miscarriage, proteinuric and non-proteinuric pregnancy-induced hypertension, fetal growth restriction, intrauterine fetal demise, spontaneous preterm delivery, oligohydramnios and placental abruption. Results: No significant differences were noted between groups for any of the demographic variables. The only statistically significant result was an increase in the relative risk for spontaneous miscarriage (RR = 6.33) at free β-hCG <0.2 multiples of the medians. No other statistically significant result was noted for the other adverse outcomes or for the overall complication rate. Conclusion: Low free β-hCG is associated with a higher incidence of spontaneous miscarriage but is a poor predictor of other pregnancy complications.

Contents Vol. 17, 2002

1 A.W. Liley Medal 2001 Awarded to Prof. Wolfgang Holzgreve Chervenak, F.A. (New York, N.Y.) 3 Prenatal and Perinatal Aspects of a Giant Fetal Cervicothoracal Lymphangioma Axt-Fliedner, R.; Hendrik, H.J.; Schwaiger, C.; Ertan, A.K.; Friedrich, M.; Schmidt, W. (Homburg/Saar) 8 Gelatin Sponge Embolization. A Method for the Management of Iatrogenic Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes O’Brien, J.M.; Milligan, D.A.; Barton, J.R. (Lexington, Ky.) 11 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma with Large Prenatally Detected Cystic Adrenal Masses de Luca, J.L.; Rousseau, T.; Durand, C.; Sagot, P.; Sapin, E. (Dijon) 17 The Influence of Smoking and Parity on Serum Markers for Down’s Syndrome Screening Tišlarić, D. (Zagreb); Brajenović-Milić, B.; Ristić, S. (Rijeka); Latin, V. (Zagreb); ZZ uvić-Butorac, M.; BacZ ić, J. (Rijeka); Petek, M. (Zagreb); Kapović, M. (Rijeka) 22 Erythropoietin as Treatment for Late Hyporegenerative Anemia in Neonates with Rh Hemolytic Disease after in utero Exchange Transfusion Nicaise, C.; Gire, C.; Casha, P.; d’Ercole, C.; Chau, C.; Palix, C. (Marseille) 25 Alpha-Fetoprotein Values in Amniotic Fluid Obtained during Early Amniocentesis (11–13 Weeks) Nwebube, N.I.; Lockitch, G.; Halstead, C. (Vancouver); Johnson, J. (Toronto); Wilson, R.D. (Vancouver) 29 Prenatal Diagnosis of Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita with Increased Nuchal Translucency but without Any Underlying Fetal Neurogenic or Myogenic Pathology Madazl}, R.; Tüysüz, B.; Aksoy, F.; Barbaros, M.; UludagE , S.; Ocak, V. (Istanbul) 34 Prenatal Diagnosis of Lissencephaly (Type II) by Ultrasound and Fast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Kojima, K.; Suzuki, Y.; Seki, K.; Yamamoto, T.; Sato, T.; Tanaka, T.; Suzumori, K. (Nagoya) 37 Expression of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Human Placenta and Myometrium in Normal Pregnancies and Pregnancies Complicated by Intrauterine Growth Retardation. Preliminary Results Stepan, H.; Faber, R.; Stegemann, S. (Leipzig); Schultheiss, H.-P.; Walther, T. (Berlin) 42 Early Transvaginal Biometry of Fetal Orbits: A Cross-Sectional Study Guariglia, L.; Rosati, P. (Rome) 48 Uterine Artery Doppler Velocimetry in Patients with Idiopathic Hydramnios Hershkovitz, R.; Sheiner, E.; Furman, B.; Smolin, A.; Hallak, M.; Mazor, M. (Beer-Sheva) 52 First-Trimester Ductus venosus Velocimetry in Relation to Nuchal Translucency Thickness and Fetal Karyotype Zoppi, M.A.; Putzolu, M.; Ibba, R.M.; Floris, M.; Monni, G. (Cagliari) 58 MR Autopsy in Fetuses Huisman, T.A.G.M.; Wisser, J.; Stallmach, T.; Krestin, G.P.; Huch, R.; Kubik-Huch, R.A. (Zürich) No. 2