Predictive Value of Free β-hCG Multiple of the Median for Women with Preeclampsia.
BACKGROUND
Preeclampsia (PE) is relatively common and is unpredictable in its onset and progression.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the clinical value of using the multiple of the median (MoM) of free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) concentrations in women with normal pregnancy and PE.


METHODS
This study was based on a dataset available from published studies, and the relevant studies were retrieved from multiple electronic databases. Data were extracted from case-control studies; a random-effects model was employed, and standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Twelve case-control studies (eleven English-based articles and one Chinese-based article) were analyzed in the current meta-analysis and included 702 patients with PE and 8,233 women with normal pregnancies.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis revealed a higher MoM of β-hCG serum levels in patients with PE. Ethnicity subgroup analysis showed that the MoM of serum β-hCG levels was significantly higher in women with PE in both Asian and Caucasian populations.


CONCLUSIONS
The MoM of β-hCG serum levels was significantly increased in women with PE compared to women with normal pregnancies. Screening for serum β-hCG MoM levels will be helpful in the early identification of pregnancies at risk of developing PE. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, P.R. China.
Hui-Qiang
HQ
Liu
Yong-Hong
YH
Wang
Lan-Lan
LL
Wang
Min
M
Hao