Serum human chorionic gonadotropin decline following aspiration abortion in early pregnancy less than 42 days gestation

Objective: To define serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) decline following complete aspiration abortion. Study Design: We performed a secondary analysis of 86 patients who underwent uncomplicated aspiration abortion for ultrasound-confirmed pregnancy <= 42 days gestation and had serum hCG at the time of aspiration and within 3 days postprocedure. Results: Median hCG declines were 72.9% by day 1 (n = 14), 87.6% by day 2 (n = 50), and 92.8% by day 3 (n = 22). Ninetieth percentile declines were 67.8%, 81.5%, and 90.8%. Minimum hCG declines were 56.2%, 77.3%, and 83.2%. Trends did not vary by gestational age or by initial hCG <3000 mIU/mL. Conclusion: Postprocedure hCG trend varies over the first few days in early gestation. At <= 42 days gestation, serial hCG decline at 1 day after completed aspiration abortion is greater than 50%, consistent with the decline observed in medication abortion. Implications: This study confirms previously estimated human chorionic gonadotropin decline after aspiration abortion of at least 50% at 24 hours for completed procedure in very early gestations. Minimum declines on days 2 and 3 are approximately 70% and 80%. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study examined serum hCG decline following complete aspiration abortion in early gestation. Results showed that hCG levels declined rapidly within three days postprocedure, with over 50% decline observed on the first day. This trend is consistent with medication abortion and suggests a rapid decrease in hCG levels following aspiration abortion in very early gestations.