Association between 7-day serum β-hCG levels after frozen–thawed embryo transfer and pregnancy outcomes: a single-centre retrospective study from China. Issue 10 (10th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Lihua; Yu, Lingyu; Sun, Zhengao; Song, Jingyan; Xiao, Jimei; Jiang, Huaying; Sa, Yuanhong
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 10:Issue 10(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-10
• Subjects: reproductive medicine -- embryology; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035332
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Early monitoring of plasma human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level is vital in predicting pregnancy outcome. This study investigated the predictive value of serum β-hCG level on the seventh day after frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) for ongoing pregnancy (OP) and adverse pregnancy (AP). Design: Retrospective study. Setting: The Reproductive and Genetic Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China. Participants: 1061 pregnant women who underwent FET between January 2014 and January 2017. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Pregnancy outcome. Results: Serum β-hCG levels on the seventh day after FET were higher in the single OP group compared with the biochemical pregnancy group (p<0.001). Besides, the serum β-hCG cut-off level at 4.34 mIU/mL on the seventh day showed high predictive value (area under the curve (AUC)=0.852). Serum β-hCG levels on the seventh day after FET were higher in the twin OP group compared with the single OP group (p<0.001). Also, the serum β-hCG cut-off level at 17.95 mIU/mL on the seventh day showed high predictive value (AUC=0.903). Serum β-hCG levels on the seventh day after FET were lower in the ectopic pregnancy group compared with the single OP group (p<0.001) whereas, serum β-hCG cut-off level at 4.53 mIU/mL on the seventh day exhibited a high predictive value (AUC=0.860). Further, the serum β-hCG levels on the seventh day after FET were lower in the single early spontaneous abortion group compared with the single OP group (p<0.001) while the serum β-hCG cut-off level at 5.34 mIU/mL on the seventh day exhibited high predictive value (AUC=0.738). Conclusion: Serum β-hCG on the seventh day after FET has good clinical significance for the prediction of OP and AP.