The value of early pregnancy single serum progesterone measurement in relation to the first trimester viability

الملخص EN

The diagnosis of pregnancy require a multi factorial approach using three main diagnostic test, these are : clinical, laboratory & ultrasound examination.

There is no single test currently available which immediately differentiate continuing from non continuing intra uterine or tubal pregnancy (1).

Aim of the study : To assess the use of single serum progesterone measurement in early pregnancy and its relation to the 1st trimester fetal viability.

Patients and methods : A prospective study conducted in Basrah maternity and child hospital to assess and predict 1st trimester fetal viability using a single serum progesterone measurement for women who attend the hospital either as their 1st antenatal booking or hospitalization for vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain whom were followed for the end of 13th week of gestation and progesterone levels were compared to the fetal viability using ultrasound examination and results were analyzed statistically.

Result : The study group enrolled 78 pregnancies, 44 pregnancies had continue viable till 13th week of pregnancy and 34 ended with spontaneous abortion.

Serum progesterone level was 5.7 + 10.9 in continuing pregnancy and 6.7 + 4.8 in spontaneous abortion.

The difference progesterone level was highly significant (p value < 0.0001).

Conclusion : Serum progesterone measurement is a reliable biochemical test in establishing the diagnosis of early pregnancy failure and a predictive test for pregnancy continuation.