Free alpha hCG--a serum marker for pregnancy-induced hypertension

Author: Hong-Nu CHU ¹ ; Fu-Zhen ZHOU ; Xing XIE
Author Information

1. The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, College of Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2002;31(3):210-211
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the free alpha subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (FalphahCG) as a marker for pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: The study group consisted of 74 pregnant women with hypertension. PIH admitted at 21-43 weeks of gestation. The control group was 37 non-PIH women. Serum FalphahCG was measured by radioimmunoassay with monoclonal technology. Using Youden's index of the receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC), a threshold value was determined. RESULTS: FalphahCG levels in PIH women were significantly higher than in the control group women [(556+/-428)IU/L compared with (232+/-131)IU/L,P<0.001].Using 260 IU/L of FalphahCG as the threshold value yields a sensitivity of 81.1% and specificity of 75.7% with a Youden's index of 0.57 for predicting PIH. CONCLUSION: Serum FalphahCG may serve as a useful marker to predict PIH.