Glycodelin serum levels in women with ectopic pregnancy

Objective: Aim of our study was to determine circulating levels of glycodelin for biochemical monitoring of women with vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain in early pregnancy. The objective was, using glycodelin as a biochemical parameter, to distinguish between incomplete abortion and ectopic pregnancy in early weeks of gestation. Study, design: In 169 women with a first trimester pregnancy, a single serum measurement of maternal glycodelin was taken. Patients were divided into groups according to the clinical and/or ultrasonografic findings at the time of hospitalisation: ectopic pregnancy, incomplete abortion and control. Results: Glycodelin serum levels were significantly lower in patients with ectopic pregnancy comparable with intact pregnancy and incomplete abortion. There was no difference in serum levels between intact pregnancy and incomplete abortion. Conclusion: Glycodelin might represent a biochemical parameter in the differential diagnosis between ectopic pregnancies and incomplete abortion. The number of patients was too small to give reference ranges for pregnancy weeks. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.