Predictive value of human chorionic gonadotrophin beta-hCG in early pregnancy after assisted conception.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the predictive value of beta-hCG levels in predicting the pregnancy outcome.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done on 423 pregnant patients following assisted conception (stimulated in vitro fertilization [SIVF] and stimulated intra uterine insemination [SIUI]). These were monitored with plasma beta-hCG on day +18 post hCG injection. Ongoing pregnancy was defined as greater than 20 weeks.

RESULTS: Four hundred twenty three patients had a positive serum quantitative beta-hCG level 18 days post hCG injection. Of these 321 (75.9%) were ongoing pregnancies. The spontaneous miscarriages were 98 (23.2%), and four ectopic pregnancies were recorded. Of the successful pregnancies, 279 were single births, and 42 were multiple births (15.1%), that is either twins (31) or triplets (11). Tables were calculated to help predicting the pregnancy outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: It can be shown that +18 levels of beta-hCG in cases of assisted conception are useful and provide predictive information concerning pregnancy outcome which should be helpful for the staff and the infertility patients.