Serum CA-125 in Normal First Trimester of Pregnancy and Ectopic Pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the mean serum CA-125 level between normal first trimester pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy, and to determine the cut point of CA-125 level for diagnostic aim.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Vajira hospital, Navamindradhiraj University between December 2012 and September 2013. Two compared groups were invited from 2 resources. The first group was normal intrauterine pregnant women who came to antenatal care unit. Another group was women with diagnosed ectopic pregnancy and further pathologically confirmed. Blood was drawn from each woman for standard antenatal/preoperative laboratory investigations along with serum CA-125. Levels of CA-125 between both groups were compared. The prediction of ectopic pregnancy was assessed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results: There were 30 normal pregnancies and 30 ectopic pregnancies in this study. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of age, parity, and gestational age between normal and ectopic pregnancy group. The mean serum CA-125 level in ectopic pregnancy group (24 ± 10 IU/ml) was lower than normal pregnancy group (48 ± 36 IU/ml) which statistically significant difference (P value 0.02). When serum CA-125 level of 30 IU/ml was used as a cutoff value for diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy; sensitivity 73.3% and specificity 73.3%.

Conclusion: The measurement of serum CA-125 levels may be useful in discriminating ectopic from normal intrauterine pregnancy.