title: Beta HCG levels in a pregnant dialysis patient: a cautionary tale.
abstract: Conception is rare in patients on chronic dialysis and diagnosis is often delayed as it is least expected. Serum beta HCG levels are elevated in both pregnant and non-pregnant dialysis patients, and pregnant dialysis patients have slightly higher beta HCG levels when compared with normal pregnancy. This can be erroneously interpreted as non-viable pregnancy and so results should be viewed with caution. Serial beta HCG levels must be followed when non-viable pregnancy is suspected in a dialysis patient before contemplating termination of pregnancy as described in our case.
authors.affiliation: Loyola University Medical Center , Dept of Nephrology and Hypertension, Maywood, IL , USA.
authors.forename: Kavitha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Potluri
authors.affiliation: The Children's Hospitals of Philadelphia , Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Philadelphia, PA , USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moldenhauer
authors.affiliation: Loyola University Medical Center , Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maywood, IL , USA.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karlman
authors.affiliation: Loyola University Medical Center , Dept of Nephrology and Hypertension, Maywood, IL , USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hou
keywords: alpha-fetoprotein; beta HCG; dialysis; pregnancy