STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of a single serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurement obtained on day 14, 15, or 16 after transfer in in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer pregnancies. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-four consecutive pregnancies from two ART programs were reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of livebirth was only 6% when day 14 to 16 hCG values were less than 100 mIU/mL, but increased to 82% with levels greater than 100 mIU/mL (P less than 0.001). The incidence of livebirth and multiple birth correlated with rising hCG levels. Only 1% (1/71) of pregnancies with serum hCG values greater than 100 mIU/mL was ectopic, and this case was a bilateral (double) ectopic. CONCLUSIONS: A single serum hCG measurement obtained 14 to 16 days after embryo or gamete transfer not only is diagnostic but also has good predictive value for pregnancy outcome.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of a single serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurement obtained on day 14, 15, or 16 after transfer in in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer pregnancies. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-four consecutive pregnancies from two ART programs were reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of livebirth was only 6% when day 14 to 16 hCG values were less than 100 mIU/mL, but increased to 82% with levels greater than 100 mIU/mL (P less than 0.001). The incidence of livebirth and multiple birth correlated with rising hCG levels. Only 1% (1/71) of pregnancies with serum hCG values greater than 100 mIU/mL was ectopic, and this case was a bilateral (double) ectopic. CONCLUSIONS: A single serum hCG measurement obtained 14 to 16 days after embryo or gamete transfer not only is diagnostic but also has good predictive value for pregnancy outcome.