The Significance of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Blood Serum for the Early Diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy

Abstract

Determination of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) values in the serum by the radioimmunoassay technique, was performed in 23 women with suspected ectopic pregnancies. In 16 cases, the values of HCG were high and the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was verified by laparoscopy and laparotomy. In 7 cases, low HCG values were found and ectopic pregnancy was excluded. The detection of HCG in the serum was an excellent tool for the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, helping to prevent the dangerous sequelae which follow the late diagnosis of this condition.