The role of progesterone in detecting early pregnancy failure

Abstract

Background Early pregnancy failure is a common pregnancy complication. In clinical practice, the time delay to distinguish viable from non-viable pregnancy is often distressing to patients and doctors. A highly sensitive and specific biomarker that accurately identifies viable and non-viable pregnancy would be useful for early intervention. Progesterone has been shown as a biomarker of early pregnancy failure, however the usefulness is still questionable due to different cut-off values used. Aims To determine the role of progestesterone as a marker of early pregnancy failure and to establish the cut-off value in discriminating viable from non-viable pregnancy. Method A cross sectional study was carried out in the Obstertric and Gynaecology Patient Admission Centre (OBPAC) for a period of 12 months. Ninety-five pregnant women of 13 weeks or less period of amenorrhoea (POA), of which 14 normal pregnant women as control, were recruited. A single measurement of serum progesterone was carried out during admission. The outcome of pregnancy was followed up until 22 weeks of POA to ascertain viability. Results Progesterone levels were significantly lower in women with non-viable pregnancies as compared with viable pregnancy [10.7 ng/mL (0.60–49.80) versus 45.9 ng/mL (15.40–127.20), respectively; p Conclusion Progesterone can be used as a marker for early pregnancy failure.