Early pregnancy failure: study by ultrasonic and hormonal methods

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Medical Imaging
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Early pregnancy failure is a common complication.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for patient management.
• Ultrasonic and hormonal markers are used for evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic value of ultrasound and hormonal assays (hCG, E2, P) in early pregnancy failure.
• To determine the optimal combination of methods for diagnosing specific pregnancy complications.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 188 patients with early pregnancy failure.
• Utilized ultrasound for fetal life detection and structural assessment.
• Measured plasma levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P).

Main Results:

• Negative ultrasound for fetal life after 9 weeks predicted 100% failure.
• Positive ultrasound predicted delivery in 90% of threatened abortions.
• Pathologic hCG or P levels indicated miscarriage in 93%; combined levels showed 100% failure.
• Ultrasound combined with hCG was useful for ectopic pregnancy diagnosis.
• Ultrasound alone was sufficient for blighted ovum detection.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasonic examination is the fundamental diagnostic method for early pregnancy failure.
• Hormonal assays, particularly hCG, offer valuable adjunct information, especially before 9 weeks gestation.
• The combination of methods improves diagnostic accuracy for specific conditions like ectopic pregnancy.