Pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein as a prognostic indicator in complications of early pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein (SP-1) was measured by radioimmunoassay in patients admitted to the hospital with a clinical diagnosis of hemorrhage in early pregnancy. The results were compared with a normal range and were analyzed for their predictive value in determining prognosis. Six of the total study group of 54 patients were subsequently proved not to be pregnant and had SP-1 levels below 10 μg/L, the lower limit of sensitivity for pregnancy detection. 29 patients had SP-1 levels below the normal range for pregnancy and all had an abnormal outcome (ectopic pregnancy or abortion). The SP-1 level was normal in 29 cases, of which 10 had an abnormal outcome and 19 continued normally beyond the 20th gestational wk. Low SP-1 levels were found in all of the abnormal and none of the continuing pregnancies and may be taken as predictive of an unsuccessful outcome.