title: The predictive value of an initial serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin level for pregnancy outcome following in vitro fertilization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to assess the predictive value for pregnancy outcome of an initial serum quantitative beta-hCG measurement obtained 11 or 12 days after embryo transfer in an in vitro fertilization program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, descriptive study of 153 pregnancies achieved via in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer was performed. Initial beta-hCG levels and subsequent pregnancy outcomes were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean initial beta-hCG level was 91 +/- 85.8 mIU/ml for normal (singleton, multiple-gestation) pregnancies and 29 +/- 24.9 mIU/ml for abnormal (miscarriage, ectopic) pregnancies (P < 0.01; power, > 80%). While 93.9% of patients with initial beta-hCG levels > or = 42 mIU/ml had normal pregnancies, 56.4% of those with initial levels < 42 mIU/ml experienced abnormal outcomes. With 42 mIU/ml as the cutoff level for predicting a normal pregnancy, this screening test yielded a sensitivity of 79.3% and a specificity of 83.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial serum beta-hCG levels obtained 11 or 12 days after embryo transfer may be predictive of pregnancy outcome in an in vitro fertilization program.
authors.affiliation: Cooper Center for Reproductive Endocrinology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marlton, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Qasim
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Callan
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Choe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human