Pegnancy Outcomes in Women with Unexplained Midtrimester Elevation of Maternal Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Level

Park, Ji Yong; Chung, Jin Hoon; Ko, Su Jin; Park, Kyo Hoon; Seo, Jung Sik; Yoo, Tae Hwan; Cho, Yong Kyoon; Choi, Hoon; Kim, Bok Rin; Lee, Hong Kyoon

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine whether unexplained elevation in maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin without abnormal elevation in matemal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) in the second trimester may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS
Between January 1997 and December 1997, we evaluated 906 pregnant women undergoing second trimester triple marker screening tests who delivered at our hospital. Multiple pregnancy, fetal anomaly, intrauterine fetal death before 20 completed weeks of gestational age, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level greater than 2.0 multiple of the median (MoM) were excluded fiom the study. Seventy-two women with hCG level greater than 2.0 MoM were included in the study group while 809 women with hCG level less than 2.0 MoM served as the control group. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were obtained from hospital delivery records and neonatal records. Statistical analysis were performed by students t-test and chi square test.
RESULTS
Women with unexplained elevation of human chorionic gonadotropin level showed increased risks for intrauterine growth retardation (P<0.01) and pregnancy induced hypertension (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between study and control groups with respect to preterm delivery, placental abruption, fetal anomaly and intrauterine fetal death.
CONCLUSION
Unexplained elevation of human chorionic gonadotropin in the second trimester was associated with intrauterine growth retardation and pregnancy induced hypertension.