Further investigation on the predictive value of human placental lactogen in high-risk pregnancies.

Blood samples were taken from 254 women with pregnancies with various complications and 119 completely normal pregnant women for measurement of serum human placental lactogen (hPL) during the third trimester. The value of this test in the management of these pregnancies was retrospectively evaluated through details of outcome. Serum hPL and urinary estriol were compared as tools for assessment of fetal condition. Serum hPL was found to be very efficient in the prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation associated with maternal hypertension. Low hPL levels were recorded in all severely hypertensive patients who were delivered of small-for-dates infants (a 100 per cent prediction rate), while 30 per cent of these patients had normal estriol values. Prediction rate of postmature infants by serum hPL level was 70 per cent as compared to 50 per cent by urinary estriol level. The diagnostic significance of low hPL levels is emphasized, with stress upon its value in early detection of unfavorable intrauterine environment. The importance of preterm deliveries in pregnancies involving intrauterine growth retardation and low hPL levels is discussed and demonstration cases are presented.