The use of measurements of hCG and other pregnancy-associated proteins and steroids in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Abstract

The measurement of serum of urinary hCG is commonly used to make or exclude the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in women presenting with symptoms suspicious of ectopic pregnancy. Detection of depressed hCG levels is indicative of early pregnancy failure. Depressed serum levels of proteins of hormone of trophoblastic, ovarian or endometrial origin make the diagnosis of ectopic gestation more likely, whilst high values are likely to exclude the possibility of this condition.