The Predictive Value of a Single Serum Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Level in Pregnancies Achieved by Intrauterine Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer Program.

Hwang, Jong Yun; Chung, Sang In; Cho, Ji Hyoung; Yoon, Kue Wook; Lee, Bang Hyun; Oh, Young Mi; Kim, Sung Hoon; Chae, Hee Dong; Kim, Chung Hoon; Kang, Byung Moon

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2002;45(12):2182-2188.
Published online December 1, 2002.

The Predictive Value of a Single Serum Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Level in Pregnancies Achieved by Intrauterine Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer Program.

Jong Yun Hwang, Sang In Chung, Ji Hyoung Cho, Kue Wook Yoon, Bang Hyun Lee, Young Mi Oh, Sung Hoon Kim, Hee Dong Chae, Chung Hoon Kim, Byung Moon Kang

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To clarify specific serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels on 11 days after intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) that could predict live birth. METHODS: Three hundred ninety-two pregnancies resulting from IUI and IVF-ET procedures between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2000 were evaluated. Serum quantitative beta-hCG levels were measured 11 days after IUI or ET using standard immunoradiometric assays. Pregnancy outcomes were categorized as spontaneous abortion, biochemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, singleton live birth, or multiple live birth. Statistical analyses were performed by analysis of variances, and Student's t-test. The sensitivity and specificity of serum beta-hCG level for predicting live birth were plotted using receiver-operator-characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The multiple live birth group has significantly higher serum beta-hCG level among the different pregnancy outcome groups. The beta-hCG level on the eleventh day after IUI and IVF-ET was significantly higher in the live birth group than the non viable pregnancy group. At a threshold level of 65 mIU/ml, the serum beta-hCG level on the eleventh day after IUI had a positive predictive value of 78.9% in predicting live birth with 95% specificity. At a threshold level of 115 mIU/ml, the serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin level on the eleventh day after ET had a positive predictive value of 92.1% with 95% specificity. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that serum beta-hCG level on 11 days after IVF-ET could be a reliable indicator predicting pregnancy outcome.

Key Words: Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), Pregnancy outcome, Intrauterine insemination (IUI), In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)