Maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin as a marker for the delivery of low-birth-weight infants in women with unexplained elevations in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein

The Journal of Maternal-fetal Medicine
T J HurleyJ G Quirk

Abstract

We wished to ascertain whether the measurement of maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (MShCG) in the serum of pregnant women with unexplained elevations of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) would more precisely define those women at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. MShCG was measured in samples of serum obtained from women in the second trimester of pregnancy who had elevated MSAFP, normal Level II ultrasounds, and normal fetal karyotypes. Based on the characteristics of a receiver-operator curve for MShCG and birth weight, patients were divided into two groups and pregnancy outcomes were compared. Pregnant women with an unexplained elevation in MSAFP, who also had an abnormal MShCG (< or = 0.5 MoM > or = 2.5) were at significantly greater risk of delivering a low-birth-weight infant compared to women with a normal MShCG (43% and 15%, respectively; P = 0.013). They were also more likely to deliver a preterm infant (48% and 11.9%), respectively; P = 0.001). In the prediction of low birth weight, an abnormal MShCG had a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 81%, and a positive predictive value of 43%; in the detection of preterm delivery the values were 59%, 88%, and 48%, respectively. These findings suggest that...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 29, 2000·American Journal of Epidemiology·K InnesM Schymura
Jul 10, 2003·Clinics in Laboratory Medicine·Charles J Lockwood

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