To Study Serum β-HCG in Early Second Trimester as Predictors of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a mysterious and clinically complex category of pregnancy problems that account for a significant burden of disease in both industrialized and less industrialized nations. The aim of this study is to estimate Serum β-HCG levels in early second trimester as predictors of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant females in their second trimester attending the OPD clinic in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, JK Hospital, LNMC & RC, Bhopal, from January 2019 to June 2020. A total of 150 pregnant women were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was collected and entered into an Excel sheet and analyzed using EpiInfo software with appropriate statistical methods. Result: The study observed that the majority of pregnant women (52%) were in the 26-30 years age group. The highest number of women were at 17-18 weeks of gestation, and most of them were primigravida (39.3%). The mean β-HCG level of mothers in the pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) group was 54297.8±22302.7, while that of mothers in the normal group was 27018.2±11255.7. The difference between the means was statistically very highly significant (P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of elevated β-HCG levels as a predictor of PIH were 67.2% and 75%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 62.9% and a negative predictive value of 78.4%. Conclusion: Pregnancy-induced hypertension remains a little understood entity, despite the enormous impact of its complications on maternal and fetal outcomes. The study concludes that the frequency of pregnancy-induced hypertension at a tertiary care hospital is 38.6%. Elevated serum β-HCG levels in women with second trimester pregnancy indicate an increased risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, and higher β-HCG levels are associated with the severity of the disease. Women with raised β-HCG levels should be arefully followed up for hypertension, and appropriate referrals to a tertiary care center for better treatment should be made.