Serum Progesterone Hormone Level and Threatened Miscarriage with Its Predictive Value for Viability

Background and objectives: Serum progesterone hormone is essential for pregnancy development and progression. Thus, this study aimed to assess the level of serum progesterone in normal pregnancy and threatened miscarriage with its predictive value for viability. Methods: This case-control study was held in outpatient clinics in the Emergency Departments of Erbil Maternity Teaching Hospital, Erbil, Iraq, from the 1st June 2022 to 31st May 2023 on 75 pregnant women with threatened miscarriages and 75 healthy pregnant women as controls. Diagnosis of threatened miscarriage was made through clinical features, investigations and ultrasonography. Then, the blood samples were collected to assess the serum progesterone level as a predictor for threatened miscarriage and viability of early pregnancy. Results: Most participants (44%) were young (20-29 years old), had low economic status, gave birth to 1-3 children and had a gestational age of >9.0 weeks with no significant difference between both groups (p>0.05). A highly significant association (p<0.001) was observed between pregnant women with threatened miscarriage and non-viability of fetuses. The mean serum progesterone level was obviously decreased in females with threatened miscarriage. The mean serum progesterone hormone level of 20.5 nmol/L was a significant predictor of threatened miscarriage with acceptable validity findings. The mean serum progesterone hormone level of 11.8 nmol/L was a significant predictor of non-viability in pregnant women with threatened miscarriage and acceptable validity findings. Conclusions: The serum progesterone level is an appropriate predictor of threatened miscarriage and fetal viability in early pregnancy.