Pregnancy-specific beta-glycoprotein in complications of early pregnancy.

Abstract

Maternal concentrations of pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) were measured in 145 patients with vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. The levels of SP1 were substantially reduced in cases in which the outcome was unsatisfactory. The sensitivity of the test was 65%, the predictive value 96%, and the specificity 98%; these results are at least as good as those biochemical tests of this type. It is concluded that measurement of SP1 is useful in diagnosis, even when ultrasound findings are also available. However, in a small group of subjects both ultrasound and biochemical findings were normal, despite an unfavourable outcome, and it seems likely that such cases are beyond the reach of any present diagnostic measure.