title: Successful completion of the first trimester despite the inappropriate rate of rise of the serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report an exception to the rule that once slow rising serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels are observed, a live fetus after 12 weeks is not possible even if fetal viability was detected earlier.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fetus of a woman with a slow rising serum beta-hCG levels which even plateaued was evaluated by serial pelvic sonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fetal pole grew appropriately but at one point the sac size was a week behind. Nevertheless the woman completed the first trimester with a viable fetus and a normal fetal heart rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though rare, a live fetus at the end of the first trimester is possible if even if there is a slow rise of sera hCG levels where there is at least one instance when the hCG levels do not double in two days.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Check
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chern
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human