title: Serial serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in ectopic pregnancy and first trimester miscarriage.
abstract: Serial serum hCG levels were measured in 50 patients with a tubal ectopic pregnancy and 50 patients with spontaneous miscarriage of an intrauterine pregnancy. Serum samples were obtained at intervals of 3-5 d and more frequently if clinically indicated. The final diagnosis was confirmed by laparoscopy and/or dilatation and curettage. Data were analyzed using a linear regression model. Initial hCG concentrations ranged from 91 to 3,050 mIU/mL. Eighty percent of ectopic pregnancies and 35% of miscarriages were associated with rising hCG concentrations and no significant differences were noted in daily increments of hCG in the two groups (210 +/- 30 mIU/mL/day for ectopic pregnancies versus 311 +/- 55 mIU/mL/d for miscarriages). Twenty percent of ectopic pregnancies and 65% of miscarriages had falling hCG concentrations and significant differences were noted in the daily decrements of hCG for EP and AB (270 +/- 52 mIU/mL/day for ectopic pregnancies versus 578 +/- 28 mIU/mL/d for miscarriages (P < or = 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Center for Fertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98110, USA.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Letterie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hibbert
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin