Determination of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Postmortem Samples in Ectopic Pregnancies

Area of Science:

• Forensic Medicine
• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a key biomarker for pregnancy.
• Detecting HCG postmortem can be challenging but valuable for forensic investigations.
• Standard HCG assays are typically designed for living patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of a standard HCG immunoassay for postmortem analysis.
• To determine if HCG levels in various postmortem fluids can aid in diagnosing fatal ectopic pregnancies.
• To explore correlations between HCG concentrations in different postmortem specimens.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative electrochemiluminescence immunoassay used for HCG measurement.
• Analysis of postmortem serum, vitreous, bile, cerebrospinal, and pericardial fluids.
• Inclusion of 4 cases of fatal ectopic pregnancy and 40 control cases.

Main Results:

• No false-negative HCG results were observed in ectopic pregnancy cases.
• No significant correlations were found between postmortem serum HCG and other fluid HCG levels.
• Elevated HCG was detected in bile, vitreous, pericardial, and cerebrospinal fluids in ectopic pregnancy cases.

Conclusions:

• Standard HCG kits are viable for postmortem analysis.
• Elevated HCG in specific postmortem fluids can confirm ectopic pregnancy.
• Gestational age cannot be reliably determined from these postmortem HCG measurements.