Researchers in Tehran recently published a cross-sectional study on the effectiveness of vaginal beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels on predicting preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The study was published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research.
A total of 123 women in the third trimester of pregnancy were recruited for the study. Women were placed in three groups – PPROM (41), suspected PPROM (42) and controls (40). Researchers used 5 ml of sterile saline to aspirate vaginal fluid. The fluid was tested for beta-HCG levels. Levels were compared between the three groups.
Conclusion: Researchers found higher beta-HCG levels in the PPROM group (468.06) than the control group (7.71). The women suspected of PPROM measured between the control and PPROM group (176.43). Researchers believe vaginal b-HCG testing can help predict PPROM, or at least give doctors a heads up that PPROM risk is higher in a given pregnancy.
Source: Bahasadri S, Kashanian M, Khalili S. Evaluation of vaginal fluid β-human chorionic gonadotropin for the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2013 Mar 20. doi: 10.1111/jog.12012.