Serum HCG and HPL in twin pregnancies

Serum HCG and HPL levels were determined in 154 samples derived from 39 twin and one triplet pregnancies. Compared with singleton gestations, these levels were respectively 2.5 and 1.5 times higher throughout gestation. Analysis of these data in terms of predictive accuracy for the existence of a twin indicates that neither assay can serve for screening purposes though simultaneous determination of HCG and HPL may provide a fair index of suspicion.