Serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels at 16 days following embryo transfer in intra cytoplasmic sperm injection cycles to predict pregnancy outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prognostic value of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG) concentration on the sixteenth day after embryo transfer to predict pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study, B-hCG levels were measured in 97 pregnant women that underwent intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in Fatemeh-Zahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran from January 2008 to December 2009. Type, duration, causes of infertility, and age of patients, B-hCG levels on the sixteenth day after embryo transfer, the number of embryos, and pregnancy outcome were assessed.


RESULTS
Incidence of viable pregnancies in B-hCG levels less than 100 IU/L (n=18) was 38.9%, and in B-hCG levels more than or equal to 100 IU/L (n=79) was 84.4%. Correlation of B-hCG with pregnancy outcome was significant (p less than 0.001). Cut-off value of B-hCG to predict viable pregnancy was 100 IU/L (sensitivity - 91%, specificity - 48%, PPV - 85%, and NPV - 61%). The B-hCG levels less than or equal to 200 IU/L with a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 45%, PPV - 37%, and NPV = 91% had predicted twin pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum B-hCG level on the sixteenth day after embryo transfer can be useful to predict the pregnancy outcome in ICSI cycles.
Basirat
Zahra
Z
Fatemeh-Zahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 4719173716, Babol, Iran. Zahra_Basirat@yahoo.com
Bijani
Ali
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D055815:Young Adult
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human