Ectopic Pregnancy Biomarkers

University of Pennsylvania

Status: Completed

Conditions: Ectopic Pregnancy

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00194168

RRU002

705016

Details and patient eligibility

About

In an attempt to simplify the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, the researchers will investigate the presence of specific molecular markers of ectopic pregnancy. The quantification of these (and other proteins) will be performed using the Ciphergen Protein Chip system where serum is sampled with a high-throughput system. The patterns of these peaks will be compared for those with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and normal pregnancy. Later goals of the research will be to identify the actual proteins that correspond to the peaks which discriminate between the two clinical entitles. The goal is to identify a unique protein pattern or protein peak to distinguish a normal intrauterine pregnancy from that of an ectopic implanted gestation.

Enrollment: 1,306 patients

Sex: Female

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Reproductive-aged women

• Currently pregnant based on serum human chorionic gonadotropin level

• Present for care for pregnancy due to vaginal bleeding and/or pelvic cramping

• Final diagnosis of one of the following:

  1. Live intrauterine pregnancy through 14 weeks, diagnosed by ultrasound demonstrating fetal heart motion
  2. Diagnosed ectopic pregnancy
  3. Ultrasound confirmation of a nonviable gestation (less 14 weeks) such as an anembryonic gestation or a fetal demise

Exclusion criteria

• None