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Chen Y, Dai X, Wu B, Jiang C, Yin Y. Relationship between increased maternal serum free human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the second trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:323. [PMID: 38835013 PMCID: PMC11149239 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03105-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the data of pregnant women who received hospital delivery in Hangzhou Women's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020, and who participated in the second trimester (15-20+6 weeks) of free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-hCG). And the study was conducted to explore the relationship between maternal serum free β-hCG and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1,978 women in the elevated maternal serum free β-hCG group (free β-hCG ≥ 2.50 multiples of the median, MoM) and 20,767 women in the normal group (0.25 MoM ≤ free β-hCG < 2.50 MoM) from a total of 22,745 singleton pregnancies, and modified Poisson regression analysis was used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the two groups. RESULTS The gravidity and parity in the elevated free β-hCG group were lower, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (all, P < 0.05). The risks of polyhydramnios, preeclampsia, and hyperlipidemia, were increased in women with elevated free β-hCG levels (RRs: 1.996, 95% CI: 1.322-3.014; 1.469, 95% CI: 1.130-1.911 and 1.257, 95% CI: 1.029-1.535, respectively, all P < 0.05), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and female infants were also likely to happen (RRs = 1.641, 95% CI: 1.103-2.443 and 1.101, 95% CI: 1.011-1.198, both P < 0.05). Additionally, there was an association between elevated AFP and free β-hCG levels in second-trimester (RR = 1.211, 95% CI: 1.121-1.307, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS APOs, such as polyhydramnios, preeclampsia, and hyperlipidemia, were increased risks of elevated free β-hCG levels, IUGR and female infants were also likely to happen. Furthermore, there was an association between elevated AFP levels and elevated free β-hCG levels in second-trimester. We recommend prenatal monitoring according to the elevated maternal serum free β-hCG level and the occurrence of APO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Chen
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Screening Center, Hangzhou Women's Hospital (Hangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Shangcheng District Hangzhou, No. 369, Kunpeng Road, Zhejiang, 310008, China
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Xiaoqing Dai
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Bin Wu
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Chen Jiang
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yixuan Yin
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Screening Center, Hangzhou Women's Hospital (Hangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Shangcheng District Hangzhou, No. 369, Kunpeng Road, Zhejiang, 310008, China.
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Peris M, Crompton K, Shepherd DA, Amor DJ. The association between human chorionic gonadotropin and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:118-184. [PMID: 37572838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the association between human chorionic gonadotropin and adverse pregnancy outcomes. DATA SOURCES Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane were searched in November 2021 using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and relevant key words. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA This analysis included published full-text studies of pregnant women with serum human chorionic gonadotropin testing between 8 and 28 weeks of gestation, investigating fetal outcomes (fetal death in utero, small for gestational age, preterm birth) or maternal factors (hypertension in pregnancy: preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placental abruption, HELLP syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus). METHODS Studies were extracted using REDCap software. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess for risk of bias. Final meta-analyses underwent further quality assessment using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) method. RESULTS A total of 185 studies were included in the final review, including the outcomes of fetal death in utero (45), small for gestational age (79), preterm delivery (62), hypertension in pregnancy (107), gestational diabetes mellitus (29), placental abruption (17), and HELLP syndrome (2). Data were analyzed separately on the basis of categorical measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin measured on a continuous scale. Eligible studies underwent meta-analysis to generate a pooled odds ratio (categorical human chorionic gonadotropin level) or difference in medians (human chorionic gonadotropin continuous scale) between outcome groups. First-trimester low human chorionic gonadotropin levels were associated with preeclampsia and fetal death in utero, whereas high human chorionic gonadotropin levels were associated with preeclampsia. Second-trimester high human chorionic gonadotropin levels were associated with fetal death in utero and preeclampsia. CONCLUSION Human chorionic gonadotropin levels are associated with placenta-mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes. Both high and low human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the first trimester of pregnancy can be early warning signs of adverse outcomes. Further analysis of human chorionic gonadotropin subtypes and pregnancy outcomes is required to determine the diagnostic utility of these findings in reference to specific cutoff values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Peris
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kylie Crompton
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daisy A Shepherd
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David J Amor
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
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Skogler J, Moberg T, Tancredi L, Styrmisdóttir L, Hedayati E, Alarcon-Ruiz CA, Khamis A, Persad E, Iskandarani G, Hansson SR, Bruschettini M. Association between human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pregnancy Hypertens 2023; 34:124-137. [PMID: 37951184 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a glycoprotein produced in the placenta, is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. We investigated the relationship between hCG levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a systematic review including studies measuring hCG blood levels in the first or second trimester, reporting on any of the 12 predefined adverse pregnancy outcomes with logistic regression-adjusted association estimates. The primary outcomes were placenta-associated complications, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm delivery. We searched PubMed, Embase and CINAHL Complete. The hCG levels were analysed as multiple of the median (MoM). Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used. Risk of bias and the certainty of evidence were assessed using ROBINS-I and GRADE, respectively. Meta-analysis also showed that hCG levels, reported as MoM ≥2/2.31/2.5, might be associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.26 to 3.44) and preterm delivery (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.47), but the evidence is very uncertain. High second trimester hCG levels may be associated with preeclampsia and preterm delivery but confidence in evidence is low.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tilda Moberg
- Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Helsingborg Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden.
| | - Luca Tancredi
- Regiomed Medical School, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | | | - Ehsan Hedayati
- Nezam Mafi Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Christoper A Alarcon-Ruiz
- Unidad de Investigación Para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Assem Khamis
- Wolfson Palliative Care Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Persad
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, Danube University Krems, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | | | - Stefan R Hansson
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Matteo Bruschettini
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Chiu CPH, Feng Q, Chaemsaithong P, Sahota DS, Lau YY, Yeung YK, Yim LW, Chung JPW, Poon LC. Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes using maternal factors, obstetric history and biomarkers of placental function at 11-13 weeks. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2022; 60:192-199. [PMID: 35445767 DOI: 10.1002/uog.24917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether first-trimester biomarkers of placental function can be used to screen for spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), and to develop prediction models using maternal factors, obstetric history and biomarkers of placental function at 11-13 weeks for the calculation of patient-specific risk for sPTB. METHODS This was a retrospective secondary analysis of data derived from a prospective cohort study on first-trimester screening for pre-eclampsia in singleton pregnancies attending for routine Down syndrome screening at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation at a tertiary obstetric unit between December 2016 and September 2019. A split-sample internal validation method was used to explore and develop prediction models for all sPTB at < 37 weeks and for PTB at < 37 weeks after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) using maternal risk factors, uterine artery Doppler indices, serum placental growth factor (PlGF), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). Screening performance was assessed using receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC)-curve analysis, with calculation of the areas under the ROC curves (AUCs). RESULTS A total of 9298 singleton pregnancies were included in this study. sPTB at < 37 weeks occurred in 362 (3.89%) cases, including 231 (2.48%) cases of PPROM. sPTB at < 34 weeks occurred in 87 (0.94%) cases, including 39 (0.42%) cases of PPROM. Identified maternal risk factors for sPTB at < 37 weeks included chronic hypertension, conception using in-vitro fertilization and history of PTB. Maternal risk factors for PPROM at < 37 weeks included conception using in-vitro fertilization and history of PTB. Median PlGF multiples of the median (MoM) and PAPP-A MoM were significantly reduced in women with sPTB at < 37 weeks, as well as in those who had PPROM, compared to those who delivered at term. Screening by a combination of maternal risk factors, PAPP-A and PlGF achieved better performance in predicting sPTB at < 37 weeks (AUC, 0.630 vs 0.555; detection rate (DR), 24.8% vs 16.6% at a false-positive rate (FPR) of 10%; P ≤ 0.0001) and PPROM at < 37 weeks (AUC, 0.643 vs 0.558; DR, 28.1% vs 17.0% at a FPR of 10%; P ≤ 0.0001) than using maternal risk factors alone. Both models were successfully applied to the internal validation dataset, with AUCs of 0.628 and 0.650, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that low levels of maternal serum PAPP-A and PlGF in the first trimester are associated with increased risks of sPTB and PPROM at < 37 weeks. However, further research is needed to identify additional biomarkers to improve the screening performance of the combined model that includes maternal risk factors, PAPP-A and PlGF before clinical application. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P H Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Q Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - P Chaemsaithong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - D S Sahota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Y Y Lau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Y K Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - L W Yim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - J P W Chung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - L C Poon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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Oyatogun O, Sandhu M, Barata-Kirby S, Tuller E, Schust DJ. A rational diagnostic approach to the "phantom hCG" and other clinical scenarios in which a patient is thought to be pregnant but is not. Ther Adv Reprod Health 2021; 15:26334941211016412. [PMID: 34179786 PMCID: PMC8207263 DOI: 10.1177/26334941211016412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The scenario in which a patient tests positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the absence of pregnancy can pose a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. The term “phantom hCG” refers to persistently positive hCG levels on diagnostic testing in a nonpregnant patient and such results often lead to a false diagnosis of malignancy and subsequent inappropriate treatment with chemotherapy or hysterectomy. There remains a need for a consistent and rational diagnostic approach to the “phantom hCG.” This article aims to review the different etiologies of positive serum hCG testing in nonpregnant subjects and concludes with a practical, stepwise diagnostic approach to assist clinicians encountering this clinical dilemma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwafunmilayo Oyatogun
- Institute for Women's Health Research and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, 500 North Keene St Suite 203, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Mandeep Sandhu
- Institute for Women's Health Research and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Stephanie Barata-Kirby
- Institute for Women's Health Research and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Erin Tuller
- Institute for Women's Health Research and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Danny J Schust
- Institute for Women's Health Research and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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