Quantitative serum chorionic gonadotropin studies in abnormal pregnancy

Abstract

1.1. A study of serum chorionic gonadotropin levels in normal pregnancy and certain pregnancy complications is presented.2.2. Values in the control series compare favorably with those of prior studies by other investigators.3.3. In some multiple pregnancies, the serum levels of chorionic gonadotropin were elevated, in others the values fell within the normal range.4.4. There was no demonstrable relationship in diabetics to the development of preeclampsia, spontaneous premature labor, or perinatal mortality.5.5. There was a definite relationship between high values of serum chorionic gonadotropin and perinatal mortality in Rhnegative isoimmunized mothers. This test is not conclusive enough to be used alone as indication for early delivery, however, since some babies were lost when chorionic gonadotropin levels were within normal range.6.6. The findings in pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, essential hypertension, and hyperemesis gravidarum are predominantly within the normal range.7.7. The findings of elevated serum chorionic gonadotropin in over 50 per cent of patients with polyhydramnios cannot be explained but it could represent renewed trophoblastic proliferation and chorionic gonadotropin production in patients in whom polyhydramnios has developed in relation to specific types of obstetric complications.