First Postembryo Transfer Beta-hCG Level and Pregnancy Outcome in an Assisted Reproductive Technology Program

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim To evaluate the prognostic value of first postembryo transfer beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in pregnancy outcome in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) program. Subjects Seventy-one women with an initial beta-hCG value of greater than 5 mIU/ml postembryo transfer in the ART program were taken in to the study. The beta-hCG test was done 14 days after embryo transfer. The period of study was from January 2008 to August 2010. Observations A significant correlation was found in beta-hCG values between viable and nonviable pregnancies. In women who had a day 2 embryo transfer the mean beta-hCG value was 608 ± 580 mIU/ml, in comparison to women who had a day 5 transfer 1,527 ± 2,024 mIU/ml, and this was statistically significant. Women who had a single embryo transfer had a mean betahCG level of 168 mIU/ml, two embryos 464 mIU/ml and three embryos 612 mIU /ml. Mean beta-hCG value was highest in women who developed gestational diabetes [2,074 mIU/ml] women with pregnancyinduced hypertension (PIH) had a mean beta-hCG value of 674 mIU/ml, and with antepartum hemorrhage the value was lower 220 mIU/ml. Conclusion To summarize, beta-hCG level is an useful marker for prognosticating early pregnancy well being, for predicting multiple pregnancies. When interpreting the first beta-hCG level uniformly after 2 weeks of embryo transfer, day of transfer of embryos should be taken into account. The number of embryos transferred does not alter the beta-hCG level significantly. BetahCG level implications in pregnancy complications, like gestational diabetes (GDM), PIH, APH, require further research and would be a useful tool for early screening and surveillance of pregnancy. How to cite this article Jayachandran KD, Natarajan P, Pandiyan R. First Postembryo Transfer Beta-hCG Level and Pregnancy Outcome in an Assisted Reproductive Technology Program. Int J Infertility Fetal Med 2012;3(2): 57-62.