SERUM CA-125 IS NOT A RELIABLE MARKER FOR THE DETECTION OF CHROMOSOMAL-ABNORMALITIES OF EARLY-PREGNANCY

Objective-To evaluate the relationship between high early pregnancy le vels of serum CA-125 and the presence of chromosomally abnormal abortu ses. Design-Prospective. Setting-Center for assisted reproductive trea tments. Patients-Four groups of patients who underwent assisted reprod uctive treatments: (A) ten pregnant women who delivered a healthy term infant; (B) ten women who delivered healthy twins; (C) nine women who spontaneously aborted chromosomally normal fetuses, and (D) nine wome n who aborted genetically abnormal fetuses. Outcome Measures-Serum CA- 125 at the day of hCG injection, day 18 post assisted conception treat ment, and 6 weeks of pregnancy. Results-A significant, 3- to 10-fold r ise of average maternal serum levels of CA-125 was noted with the esta blishment of a biochemical pregnancy (day 18). A wide variation and su bstantial overlap in serum CA-125 values were observed in all groups. Serum CA-125 of patients carrying chromosomally abnormal fetuses did n ot differ from those carrying normal ones. Conclusions-Determination o f maternal serum CA-125 in early pregnancy does not provide clinically useful information for the detection of women at risk for spontaneous abortion with either chromosomally normal or abnormal fetuses.