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Serum CA 125 levels and spontaneous abortion
M D Hornstein1, J H Check, J A Hill
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Serum cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels do not predict spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy. This study found no significant difference in CA 125 levels between women who miscarried and those who continued their pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Previous studies presented conflicting evidence on the association between serum CA 125 levels and first-trimester spontaneous abortion.
- Some reports suggested low CA 125 predicts abortion, while others indicated elevated levels correlate with increased abortion rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively compare serum CA 125 levels in women experiencing first-trimester spontaneous abortion versus those with pregnancies continuing beyond 12 weeks.
Main Methods:
- 188 pregnant patients had weekly serum CA 125 measurements taken.
- A prepregnancy baseline CA 125 value was established for each patient.
- CA 125 levels were compared between women who aborted and those whose pregnancies progressed.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was observed in CA 125 levels between patients who aborted and those whose pregnancies continued.
- Even among patients with CA 125 levels above 150 U/ml, there was no significant difference in abortion rates compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Serum CA 125 levels are not a reliable predictor of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.