The predictive value of an initial serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin level for pregnancy outcome following in vitro fertilization.
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.
Qasim
S M
SM
Cooper Center for Reproductive Endocrinology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marlton, New Jersey, USA.
Callan
C
C
Choe
J K
JK
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
D015415:Biomarkers; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human