Association between serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and preeclampsia and its effects on perinatal and maternal outcomes: a case control study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and preeclampsia (PE) and the effects of βhCG on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

METHODS

This case-control study included 125 pregnant women who were admitted to the labor ward of the Maternity Teaching Hospital, Erbil City, Kurdistan, Iraq between January and December 2016. Participants included 50 women with severe PE, 25 with mild PE, and 50 who were normotensive. Serum β-hCG concentrations during labor were compared between groups and maternal and perinatal outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in maternal age or parity distribution between the three groups. Gestational age was less than 37 weeks in 34% of the women with severe PE and in 12% of women in the mild PE and normotensive groups (p = 0.012). Mean β-hCG concentration was 37,520.56 mIU/mL in women with severe PE, 16,487 mIU/mL in those with mild PE, and 11,699.82 mIU/mL in those who were normotensive (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in perinatal outcomes between groups; however, those with β-hCG concentrations ≥ 40,000 mIU/mL had worse neonatal outcomes (lower Apgar scores, higher rate of NICU admission, and lower survival rate) and unfavorable maternal outcomes (seizures, abruption, post-partum hemorrhage, and deep vein thrombosis).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant difference in β-hCG concentrations between women with PE and normotensive women. There were no significant differences in perinatal or maternal outcomes between groups, except in patients with β-hCG ≥ 40,000 mIU/mL.