SERUM CA-125 AND FIRST TRIMESTER ABORTION

Objective: The study was carried out to assess the clinical value of s erum CA 125 in association with serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropi n (hCG) for predicting pregnancy outcome. Methods: One hundred spontan eous pregnancies, 52 non-threatened pregnancies and 48 with threatened abortions, observed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University 'La Sapienza', Pome, Italy, were evaluated during the first trimester using ultrasound examination, CA 125 and beta-hCG titr ations. Results: Threatened pregnancies had statistically significantl y higher CA 125 serum values than non-threatened pregnancies, especial ly those with a negative outcome (P < 0.01). The CA 125 levels in the threatened pregnancies were positively correlated with the tropho-deci dual hematoma volume (r = 0.839, P < 0.0001). The CA 125-beta-hCG asso ciation showed a higher prognostic value (sensitivity 78.9%, specifici ty 96.5%) in assessing pregnancy outcome than CA 125 or beta-hCG alone (sensitivity 78.9% and 57.9%, respectively; specificity 75.8% and 86. 2%, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings are in accordance with th e hypothesis of a tropho-decidual origin of this marker, suggesting it s possible usefulness in the prognostic evaluation of first trimester threatened abortion.