Abstract

Background and Aims:
Blighted ovum, or anembryonic pregnancy, is a leading cause of early pregnancy loss, often associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Early detection is crucial for timely clinical intervention. This study evaluates maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as potential biomarkers for the early detection of blighted ovum in first-trimester pregnancies.

Methods:
A cross-section study was conducted at Alfashir New Hospital, Northern Darfur State, Sudan, involving 194 pregnant women in their first trimester: 158 with normal pregnancies and 36 diagnosed with blighted ovum. Maternal serum samples were analyzed using immunoradiometric assays (IRMA) to measure HCG and AFP levels. Gestational age was confirmed via ultrasound and serum biomarker analysis, with results expressed as multiples of the median (MoM).

Results:
A significant decrease in HCG levels was observed in women with blighted ovum compared to the others (P < 0.001), whereas AFP levels showed no significant difference. This confirms that low maternal HCG levels can serve as a potential marker for early detection of blighted ovum.

Conclusion:
The study established local reference values for HCG and AFP in the Sudanese population. Serum HCG screening in the first trimester offers a cost-effective, non-invasive method for early diagnosis of blighted ovum. The findings suggest that locally established reference values may be more applicable than international standards.

Key words: Blighted ovum, Anembryonic pregnancy, Early pregnancy loss