Abstract

Assessed as up to date: 2010/04/13

Background

Miscarriage is a common occurrence in early pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast. It promotes the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone and helps in maintaining the pregnancy. Hence, there has been much interest in the use of hCG to treat threatened miscarriage.

To assess the efficacy and safety of human chorionic gonadotropins in the treatment of threatened miscarriage.

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (February 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to 12 February 2010), EMBASE (1980 to 12 February 2010) and CINAHL (1989 to 12 February 2010). We also scanned the bibliographies of all located articles for any unidentified articles and attempted to contact authors where necessary.

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the effectiveness of hCG in the treatment of threatened miscarriage compared to placebo, no treatment of any other intervention, provided viability of the fetus has been confirmed by ultrasound before the commencement of treatment.

At least two authors assessed the trials for inclusion in the review and extracted the data.

Three studies (312 participants) were included in the review, one of which was of poor methodological quality. The meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of miscarriage between hCG and 'no hCG' (placebo or no treatment) groups (Risk ratio (RR) 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42 to 1.05). When hCG and bed rest alone were compared, there was a significant reduction in the risk of miscarriage (RR 0.47; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.82). This result should be interpreted with caution, as one of the two trials from which this result is derived was of poor methodological quality. There was no report of adverse effects of hCG on mother or baby. More good quality RCTs are urgently needed to assess the effects of hCG in threatened miscarriage.

The current evidence does not support the routine use of hCG in the treatment of threatened miscarriage.

Author(s)

Devaseelan Priscilla, Fogarty Paul P, Regan Lesley

Summary

Human chorionic gonadotrophin for threatened miscarriage

Threatened miscarriage is a term used when a woman who is less than 24 weeks pregnant with a live baby experiences bleeding. The mother has vaginal bleeding, with or without abdominal pain and cramps, but the cervix is closed. Miscarriage is a source of great physical and psychological distress and is very common. Causes include chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, when the mother is older, has uterine or endocrine abnormalities or has polycystic ovarian syndrome. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (also called hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta and is known to help maintain the pregnancy. Hence there has been much interest in the use of hCG for treating threatened miscarriage with the aim of preserving the pregnancy.This review of three trials (including 312 participants), one of which was of poor quality, found no evidence that hCG can be used as effective treatment for threatened miscarriage. There was no report on adverse effects of hCG on the mother or baby. More good-quality research is needed to study the impact of hCG on miscarriage.

Reviewer's Conclusions

Implications for practice

The current evidence does not support the routine use of hCG in the treatment of threatened miscarriage. There are no reported adverse effects of hCG on the mother or baby.

Implications for research

Good quality multicentre randomised trials are urgently needed to study the effect of hCG on threatened miscarriage.