Trends in Clinical and Medical Sciences

Comparative study of serum beta-hCG between gestational hypertension and normotensive pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir

Shayesta Rahi\(^{1}\), Nasir Rashid Dar\(^{1}\), Shylla\(^{1}\) and Irshad Ahmad Kumar\(^{2,*}\)
\(^{1}\) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Govt Lalla Ded Hospital, GMC Srinagar, J & K, India.
\(^{2}\) Directorate Health Services Kashmir, J & K, India.
Correspondence should be addressed to Irshad Ahmad Kumar at irshadahmadkumar@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy lead to placental immaturity and uteroplacental under-perfusion, resulting in increased production of beta-hCG hormone. The aim of this research is to compare beta-hCG levels after the 20th week of pregnancy between normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women in order to assess its predictive value for hypertensive conditions during pregnancy.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Govt. Medical College, Srinagar over a period of 18 months (January 2021 to July 2022). One hundred patients fulfilling the selection criteria were included in the study and divided into two groups (cases and controls). The data was collected in Excel Sheets and analyzed using SPSS v20.
Results: A total of 109 patients were included in our study, out of which 9 patients were lost to follow-up and were omitted from the study. Among the 100 patients, 50 were cases and 50 were controls based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In our study, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean gestational age, mean beta hCG, and proteinuria were statistically significant. However, mean beta hCG values based on PIH (Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension) severity and mean age were statistically insignificant.
Conclusion: In our study, we concluded that hypertensive pregnant women have abnormally elevated beta hCG levels.

Keywords:

Beta hCG; PIH; Proteinuria.