[Serum human chorionic gonadotropin as a predictor of outcome in assisted reproductive technology pregnancies]

ABSTRACT

Assisted reproduction treatment [ART] entails a risk of ectopic pregnancy and early pregnancy loss. Serum sharp s-human chorionic gonadoropin [sharp s-hcg] has been found to be predictive of pregnancy outcome. Our aim was to determine whether serum sharp s-hcg levels obtained 16 days after ovulation are reliable predictors of pregnancy outcome. In this retrospective study, 200 women who have achieved a pregnancy through ART treatment at the infertility clinic of Mashhad Medical Sciences University were evaluated. The treatment included IUI in 196 [98%], ICSI in 2 [1%] and IVF in 2 [1%]. Serum samples were obtained on days 16 and serum sharp s-hcg concentration was measured by immune-radiometric assay. The mean age at treatment was 29 [range 19-35 y]. One hundred and sixty women aged above 30 y and 40 cases aged below 30 y .Out of 200 patients with ART cycles 175 cases were found to be viable pregnancies [live fetus at 20 weeks gestation] and 25 patients resulting in spontaneous abortion. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean sharp s-hcg value of the non-viable and viable pregnancies [P<0.001]