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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
05:16
Multiplexed Fluorescent Immunohistochemical Staining of Four Endometrial Immune Cell Types in Recurrent Miscarriage
Published on: August 4, 2021
Human chorionic gonadotrophin for threatened miscarriage.
Priscilla Devaseelan1, Paul P Fogarty, Lesley Regan
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Craigavon Area Hospital, 68, Lurgan Road, Portadown, Northern Ireland, UK, BT63.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 14, 2010
Summary
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) did not significantly reduce miscarriage rates compared to placebo. However, hCG combined with bed rest showed a potential benefit, though this requires cautious interpretation due to study quality. Further high-quality trials are needed.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Clinical Trial Analysis
Background:
- Threatened miscarriage is a common obstetric complication.
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) plays a vital role in maintaining early pregnancy by supporting the corpus luteum and progesterone secretion.
- The potential of hCG as a treatment for threatened miscarriage has been of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in managing threatened miscarriage.
- To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on hCG treatment for threatened miscarriage.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
- Searches were performed across multiple databases including Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL up to February 2010.
- Inclusion criteria required confirmed fetal viability via ultrasound prior to treatment and comparison against placebo, no treatment, or other interventions.
Main Results:
- Three RCTs involving 312 participants were included; one study had poor methodological quality.
- Meta-analysis indicated no statistically significant difference in miscarriage incidence between hCG and placebo/no treatment groups (RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.05).
- A significant reduction in miscarriage risk was observed when hCG was combined with bed rest (RR 0.47; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.82), but this finding requires caution due to the quality of the contributing trials. No adverse effects were reported for mother or baby.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the routine administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for the treatment of threatened miscarriage.
- The potential benefit of hCG in conjunction with bed rest warrants further investigation through high-quality randomized controlled trials.
- More rigorous research is urgently needed to definitively assess the effects of hCG in threatened miscarriage.
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