The Association between Unexplained Second-Trimester Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Elevations and Pregnancy Outcome.
- Author:
Jae Woong HWANG
;
Seong Un JEONG
;
Jeong Wook SEO
;
Yun Seok YANG
;
Jun Sook PARK
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Unexplained elevation;
Human chorionic gonadotropin;
Pregnancy outcome
- MeSH:
Abnormal Karyotype;
Chorionic Gonadotropin*;
Cohort Studies;
Female;
Gestational Age;
Humans*;
Hydatidiform Mole;
Incidence;
Infant, Low Birth Weight;
Infant, Newborn;
Pregnancy;
Pregnancy Complications;
Pregnancy Outcome*;
Pregnancy*;
Pregnancy, High-Risk
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1998;41(11):2790-2794
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
We conducted this cohort analytic study to determine whether women with unexplained elevations of maternal serum hCG at 15-18 weeks' gestation are at increased risk for pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. The inclusion criteria were a singleton gestation, a confirmed gestational age, and an hCG level greater than 2.0 multiples of the median (MoM). The exclusion criteria were fetal anomalies, an abnormal karyotype, molar pregnancy, and an MSAFP level greater than 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM). A group of randomly selected women with hCG levels under 2.0 MoM served as controls. Patients with elevated levels of hCG had a significantly higher risk for PIH (17.9% versus 4.5%; P <.05) and preterm delivery (17.9% versus 3.5%; P<, 05) than control. But no significant differences were observed in the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight and in the newborn weight. We suggested that pregnancies with unexplained elevated hCG levels should be regarded as high-risk pregnancies. And these patients require careful monitoring with adequate obstetric management.
