DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES IN THREATENED-ABORTION

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 64  (2) , 223-229
Abstract
In a prospective study of 177 women admitted consecutively in the hospital because of vaginal bleeding in the first half of pregnancy, the predictive values of 7 hormonal parameters and ultrasound examination were evaluated. Generally, the prediction of abortion proved to be more accurate than that of successful outcome. A single low value for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or progesterone at admission, regardless of gestational age or an ultrasound examination without signs of fetal life after the 9th wk, was unavoidably followed by abortion. Normal hormone values or fetal life detected at ultrasound scan signified successful outcome correctly in 64-88% and 79%, respectively. However, in wk 6-9, a single normal reading of hCG, pregnancy-specific .beta.1-glycoprotein or estriol, or ultrasound scan showing fetal life signs, was followed by successful outcome in every case. The combination of ultrasound scan without fetal life and a low estradiol or human placental lactogen value was inevitably followed by abortion from the 6th and 9th wk onward, respectively. If paired values of hCG + estradiol or hCG + estriol were low, abortion followed in every case from the 6th and 8th wk on, respectively.