Author(s): Dr. Laxmi Narayana Sripuram, Dr. Madhusudan Rao Sirivole and Dr. Sreevani Namani

Abstract: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and its sequel are severe complications of pregnancy. The prognostic significance of high levels of serum free β-hCG in early pregnancy for subsequent obstetric and perinatal risks is still poorly documented. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate whether an isolated second trimester free b-hCG level in pregnancies could serve as a predictor of various pregnancy complications or adverse pregnancy outcome. The present results showed that the serum b-hCG levels were progressively increasing and were found to be significantly different between 3 groups of PIH in accordance with progressive increase of diastolic Blood Pressure. It is evident from the present study that the serum b-hCG levels were significantly higher and significantly correlated with increased risk of PIH in women with increased b-hCG levels in the hypertensive group as compared to those in the normotensive group; which indicates the strong correlation between higher serum b-hCG levels and development of PIH later on during pregnancy. Hence, the b-hCG levels can be considered as good predictor of PIH in early gestational age. It can be concluded that the maternal serum b-hCG levels can act as potential markers for early detection of PIH, thereby helping in initiating early treatment to minimize and/or avoid the complications of PIH