Serial hCGs can't rule out ectopic pregnancy

Serial human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) cannot rule in or out an ectopic pregnancy, according to the results of a recent study.

Researchers studied 200 women who were diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy with the help of at least two serial hCG values.

The researchers found that the number of women who experienced a rise in hCG was approximately equal to the number who experienced a fall. Additionally, the hCG profiles of the women with the life-threatening condition mimicked a normal pregnancy or a completed spontaneous abortion more than one quarter (28.8%) of the time.

Silva C, Sammel MD, Zhou L, et al. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Profile for Women with Ectopic Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;107:605-610.