title: Early Maternal Serum β-human Chorionic Gonadotropin Measurements After ICSI in the Prediction of Long-term Pregnancy Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Initial low maternal serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is a good predictor of early pregnancy demise. Our objective was to determine its predictive value in determining the long-term outcome in ICSI pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study was designed at the Saudi Center for Assisted Reproduction. Two hundred and sixty-one women with ICSI pregnancies were followed up from initial β-hCG level determination till the end of pregnancy. Accuracy of early β-hCG in predicting the occurrence of a live-birth, ongoing pregnancy, late miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and early miscarriage following ICSI was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  β-hCG levels were significantly different in pregnancies that reached the stage of an ongoing pregnancy and live-birth as compared to early pregnancy loss. The ROC curves demonstrated a high sensitivity for identifying patients with ectopic pregnancies and early miscarriage (100% and 93.33% respectively). The remaining results ranged from a sensitivity of 69% to 79% and specificity of 62% to 75%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In ICSI pregnancies, a single early β-hCG may help to identify pregnancies that will reach full-term and delivery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ICSI; Human chorionic gonadotropin; Outcome; Pregnancy.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mamdoh A
authors: MA
authors: Eskandar
authors: Mesfer
authors: M
authors: Al-Shahrani
authors: Ayman
authors: A
authors: Shaamash
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: El-Emain
authors: Mutaz
authors: M
authors: Al-Ahmad
authors: Beverly
authors: B
authors: Payodon