Negative urine pregnancy test in a molar pregnancy: is it possible?
A urine pregnancy test is commonly used to detect pregnancy and is based on finding intact β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) molecules in the urine by an immunoassay system. However, the significantly large amount of β-hCG in molar pregnancy may paradoxically lead to a false-negative result due to a phenomenon known as the 'high dose hook effect'. A case of molar pregnancy with negative urine pregnancy test but very high serum β-hCG is reported. Every obstetrician should be aware of this limitation in the presence of a high index of suspicion of gestational trophoblastic disease but negative urine pregnancy test.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
Aruna
A
Nigam
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
Archana
A
Kumari
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
Nidhi
N
Gupta
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin