Human chorionic gonadotrophin for recurrent miscarriage (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 18 July 1995. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: There may be an association between recurrent miscarriage and abnormal hormone function in the follicular phase. Human chorionic gonadotrophin may play a role in preventing miscarriages.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration during early pregnancy on the risk of miscarriage in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage.

Search strategy: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched. Date of last search: 9 January 1998.

Selection criteria: Randomised trials of human chorionic gonadotrophin compared with placebo or no treatment in women who have had two or more miscarriages.

Data collection and analysis: Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by one reviewer.

Main results: Four trials involving 180 women were included. The trials were of variable quality. Human chorionic gonadotrophin was associated with a reduced risk of miscarriage for women with a history of recurrent miscarriage (odds ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.14 to 0.52). This result should be interpreted cautiously because the apparent effect is greatly influenced by the two methodologically weaker studies.

Reviewers' conclusions: There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of human chorionic gonadotrophin during pregnancy in order to prevent miscarriage in women with a history of unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage.

Citation: Scott JR, Pattison N. Human chorionic gonadotrophin for recurrent miscarriage (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

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This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

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