[Evaluation of correlation between maternal serum level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin during 16-20 weeks of pregnancy and preeclampsia incidence]

ABSTRACT

Most current hypotheses Background: regarding the pathophysiologic mechanisms of preeclampsia point to early placental abnormalities. Therefore, we attempted to determine whether maternal human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] levels in second trimester predict preeclampsia. In this prospective study, 508 pregnant women who referred to Shahid Akbar Abadi prenatal clinic for prenatal care during 2007-2009 were enrolled. Maternal serum hCG was measured of all these women during 16-20 wks of gestational age. All these women were followed and evaluated for preeclampsia. In 47 women [9.3%], preeclampsia was detected. The mean of log serum hCG levels during second trimester of pregnancy were found to be significantly higher in severe preeclampsia, compared with controls [p<0.05]. Furthermore, increase of maternal age enhances risk of preeclampsia. Our finding indicates that a serum level of maternal hCG during weeks 16-20 pregnancy, could be a value for predicting of preeclampsia