Fetal growth in patients with elevated maternal serum hCG levels

Objective: To determine the relationship between maternal serum hCG levels and small for gestational age (SGA) infants. Methods: Maternal serum hCG levels were measured in 638 consecutive pregnant women in whom gestation was dated by crown-rump length and who later delivered a singleton infant. Fetal growth was compared between the women with elevated maternal hCG (above 2 multiples of the median) and those with normal levels. Results: Elevated maternal hCG values were found in 6.6%, of whom 19% delivered SGA infants. In the normal maternal hCG group, 3.9% of the infants were SGA. These differences were statistically significant by χ² analysis. Mothers with elevated hCG also had a significantly higher risk for fetal death, preterm rupture of the membranes, and abruptio placentae by the Fisher exact probability test. Conclusion: Elevated maternal serum hCG levels correlate with SGA infants.