Measurement of serum levels of oestriol and human placental lactogen in the management of pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Maternal serum levels of total oestriol and human placental lactogen (HPL) were measured in 280 normal and 87 pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Normal levels of HPL, but significantly reduced total oestriol values were obtained when pre-eclampsia was present. However, when fetal complications developed, both hormone levels were further significantly reduced. The severity of pre-eclampsia had no effect on the serum levels of oestriol and HPL. An analysis of the 18 pregnancies with significant fetal-placental dysfunction showed that 13 (72%) were predicted by unfavourable levels of total oestriol, nine (50%) by unfavourable levels of HPL, and 14 (78%) by the use of both assays. The present study supports the value of antenatal measurement both of serum total oestriol and of HPL in the management of pre-eclamptic pregnancies.