Relationship between beta-hCG levels in cervicovaginal secretions and labor.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether levels of human beta-chorionic gonadotropin hormone (beta-hCG) in cervicovaginal secretions can predict the labor process.


METHODS
A total of 150 women admitted in active labor to the urgent delivery unit of a university hospital were enrolled in a prospective study. The beta-hCG level of each woman's cervicovaginal secretions was measured by radioimmunoassay on admission; then, beta-hCG levels were compared between 2 groups of 35 women, one in whom labor progressed normally and another in whom augmentation of labor with oxytocin was required.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in beta-hCG levels of cervicovaginal secretions between the spontaneous delivery group and the augmentation of labor group (130.72+/-64.51 mU/mL vs. 93.9+/-65.29 mU/mL) (P<0.05). A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value was 82 mU/mL, with a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 60%.


CONCLUSIONS
beta-chorionic gonadotropin hormone levels were significantly higher in the cervicovaginal secretions of women whose labor was progressing normally than in those who required augmentation of labor.
Ziaei
S
S
Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modarres University, PO Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran. ziaei_99@yahoo.com
Bahadori
A
A
Faghihzadeh
S
S
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D010298:Parity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry*
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human