Defining the curve when initial levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in patients with spontaneous abortions are low
Received 13 April 2005; received in revised form 5 August 2005; accepted 5 August 2005.
Because lower initial hCG concentrations are associated with slower rates of decline in spontaneous abortions, the aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of the expected rates of hCG decline in patients presenting with very low initial hCG levels and who ultimately were confirmed to have spontaneous abortions. When initial levels lie between 50 and 500 mIU/mL, the slowest expected percentage decline ranges from 12% to 24% in 2 days and from 34% to 68% in 7 days.
aPenn Fertility Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
bCenter for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Reprint requests: Karine Chung, M.D., M.S.C.E., University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, 1240 N. Mission Rd., Room 8K9, Los Angeles, California 90033 (FAX: 323-226-2850).
Supported by grant R01-HD-36455-01A1 from National Institutes of Health.
ABSTRACT