Citation

Lippmann S, Bordador B, Shaltout T. Postgrad. Med. 1988; 83(8): 129-31, 135.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Humana Hospital-University of Louisville, KY 40202.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Vendome Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3375148

Abstract

Female patients are sometimes medically treated, especially under emergency conditions, without knowing whether they are pregnant. As a result, medical procedures such as radiologic examinations and teratogenic substances are sometimes administered to them with adverse consequences. An easy and reliable means of detecting early unknown pregnancy is therefore important. A serum HCG test was performed on all women of childbearing age except obstetric and psychiatric patients admitted to Humana Hospital University of Louisville over a 10-day period in 1986. No physicians in the hospital were aware of the testing except the researchers and the clinical laboratory director. Of 110 patients tested, 2 had elevated test values and turned out to be pregnant; neither pregnancy had been detected on admission. The 1st woman had been admitted to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and a 2nd-degree burn. Before HCG test results were received, several chest x-rays were administered to her. The 2nd woman was admitted for treatment of a head injury and lacerations received in an automobile accident. She likewise received several x-ray examinations before HCG testing revealed her pregnancy. HCG testing has proven to be a simple and reliable means of detecting pregnancy as early as 10 days after nidation. Such testing can be very useful, particularly in emergency situations, when non-traumatic health conditions can easily be overlooked.

Language: en