Accuracy of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin cutoff values at 42 and 49 days' gestation

OBJECTIVE: The accuracy of serum P-human chorionic gonadotropin levels as c utoff values for estimating gestational age was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A database was created using information from previou sly performed research studies, which allowed entry of women both less than and greater than 49 days'gestation, involving medical abortion. Serum P-hu man chorionic gonadotropin determinations and vaginal ultrasonography were performed in all studies before treatment. A total of 574 women had data av ailable for analysis, A receiver operating characteristic curve was created to evaluate the predictive value of potential P-human chorionic gonadotrop in cutoff values for 42 and 49 days'gestation, RESULTS: Appropriate serum P-human chorionic gonadotropin cutoff values for 42 and 49 days'gestation were 23,745 mIU/mL (sensitivity, 96%; specificity , 91%; positive predictive value, 68%; negative predictive value, 99%) and 71,160 mIU/mL (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 62%; positive predictive valu e, 76%; negative predictive value, 91 %), respectively. Under 42 days'gesta tion, the serum P-human chorionic gonadotropin-time relationship appears to be linear, with a greater diversity of individual values after 42 days. CONCLUSION: Serum P-human chorionic gonadotropin values can be used with re asonable accuracy to screen for a gestational age up to 49 days'gestation.