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Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) for preventing miscarriage
Lara C Morley1, Nigel Simpson, Thomas Tang
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The General Infirmary of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 27, 2013
Summary
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) may help prevent recurrent miscarriage (RM), but evidence is inconclusive. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm if hCG is effective for women experiencing repeated pregnancy loss.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Background:
- Recurrent miscarriage (RM) affects couples with unknown causes of pregnancy loss.
- Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) plays a role in early pregnancy and implantation.
- hCG is being investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for RM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in preventing further miscarriages in women with a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM).
Main Methods:
- Searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register and reference lists.
- Included randomized controlled trials comparing hCG to placebo or no treatment for RM prevention.
- Excluded cluster-randomized and cross-over trials; assessed study quality and extracted data.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis of five studies (596 women) initially suggested hCG significantly reduced miscarriage rates (NNT=7).
- Removing two lower-quality studies eliminated the statistically significant benefit (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.44-1.23).
- No adverse effects associated with hCG use were reported.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence for hCG supplementation in preventing recurrent miscarriage (RM) is equivocal.
- High-quality, adequately powered randomized controlled trials are necessary to definitively determine hCG's efficacy in RM.
- Further research is needed to establish hCG's role in managing recurrent pregnancy loss.
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