Persistent low levels of beta-hCG in a patient with recurrent pregnancy loss.

BACKGROUND

A subset of women with persistent low levels of beta-hCG have undergone potentially harmful treatments despite no evidence of pregnancy or gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

CASE: A 37-year-old woman with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss presented with persistent low levels of beta-hCG. She was treated for ectopic pregnancy and retained products and was later suspected of having a malignancy. However, further evaluation of her human chorionic gonadotropin led to a diagnosis of quiescent gestational trophoblastic disease.

CONCLUSION

A diagnosis of quiescent gestational trophoblastic disease should be considered in all patients who present with persistent low levels of beta-hCG, including those with recurrent pregnancy loss.