title: Is maternal renal disease a cause of elevated free beta-hCG in first trimester aneuploidy screening?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To asses whether supra elevated levels of maternal serum free beta hCG in the first trimester are associated with impaired renal function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 553 women with maternal serum free beta-hCG greater than 5 multiple of median (MoM) with a single euploid fetus was matched with a control of the same maternal age (+/-1 year), ethnic origin and with a free beta-hCG within the range 0.50-1.50 MoM. Screening samples were analysed for serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated. Renal function in the two groups was compared. The database was examined to find outcomes registered as known renal disease amongst the high free beta-hCG group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the group with a supra elevated free beta-hCG MoM there was a significant reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (122.85, 95% CI 120.43-124.74 vs 118.80, 95% CI 114.90-121.59; p = 0.009) suggesting a small but increased risk of renal disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of renal disease should also be considered as one potential cause of supra elevated levels of free beta-hCG in addition to the possibility of paternally derived triploidy and trisomy 21.
authors: Clinical Biochemistry Department, King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes IG3 8YB, UK. KevinSpencer1@aol.com
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Spencer
authors: Osasumwen
authors: O
authors: Enofe
authors: Nicholas J
authors: NJ
authors: Cowans
authors: Anastasia
authors: A
authors: Stamatopoulou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015854:Up-Regulation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human