Beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels before and after the development of pre-eclampsia

Maternal serum levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) concentrations were significantly higher in 41 primigravid patients with proteinuric pre-eclampsia compared with those in 41 primigravid normotensive women matched for age and gestation. beta-hCG was also measured in serial serum samples obtained from 13 women who had a high weight-gain between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. Seven of these pregnancies were subsequently complicated with pre-eclampsia while the remaining six continued to be normotensive; beta-hCG levels were found to rise before the clinical signs of pre-eclampsia appeared.