Defining the curve when initial levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in patients with spontaneous abortions are low

Chung, Karine; Sammel, Mary; Zhou, Lan; Hummel, Amy; Guo, Weshang; Barnhart, Kurt

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.08.012

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Volume 85, Issue 2 , Pages 508-510, February 2006

Defining the curve when initial levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in patients with spontaneous abortions are low

Karine Chung, M.D., M.S.C.E.
- Penn Fertility Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center 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).
Mary Sammel, Sc.D.
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lan Zhou, Ph.D.
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Amy Hummel, C.C.R.C.
- Penn Fertility Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Weshang Guo, Ph.D.
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Kurt Barnhart, M.D., M.S.C.E.
- Penn Fertility Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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.