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Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Sep 2008The urine pregnancy test is an easily available diagnostic test in the present day and is routinely performed. The test is based on an immunochromatography technique.... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
The urine pregnancy test is an easily available diagnostic test in the present day and is routinely performed. The test is based on an immunochromatography technique. Here, we used an advanced nanomedicine technique for modification of the urine pregnancy test.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The preparation of gold nanoparticle solution in this study followed the standard method. We performed an experiment on both pregnancy-positive and -negative urine samples. First, a mixture with an equal amount (500 microliters) of gold nanoparticle solution and urine sample was prepared. Then, it was further tested for pregnancy by the urine pregnancy test strip.
RESULTS
The pregnancy-positive mixture became pink, while the pregnancy-negative mixture became gray. The urine pregnancy test strip for a positive mixture had two lines, while the negative mixture had one line.
CONCLUSION
This application can help the diagnosis of pregnancy and can be an alternative method for a urine pregnancy test. To our knowledge, this is the first report on this application.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Gold; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Reference Values; Sampling Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thailand; Urinalysis; Urine; Young Adult
PubMed: 18935992
DOI: 10.1016/S1028-4559(08)60127-8 -
Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology 1989Nine pregnancy test kits intended for home use were evaluated for optimal accuracy, sensitivity, ease of operation, and definitude of results. Tests of the kits on...
Nine pregnancy test kits intended for home use were evaluated for optimal accuracy, sensitivity, ease of operation, and definitude of results. Tests of the kits on samples of urine from healthy male volunteers previously spiked with known concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin showed wide variations among the kits in all characteristics examined. Specific values are given for the kits tested.
Topics: Adult; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Self Care; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 2655796
DOI: No ID Found -
Reproductive Health Nov 2021Unmet need for family planning and unintended pregnancies are high in developing countries. Home pregnancy tests help women determine their pregnancy status earlier and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Unmet need for family planning and unintended pregnancies are high in developing countries. Home pregnancy tests help women determine their pregnancy status earlier and the confirmation of a negative pregnancy status can facilitate the adoption of family planning. This study provides the first experimental evidence of the effect of access to pregnancy tests on women's demand for modern family planning.
METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 810 women of reproductive age in northern Uganda. During a baseline survey, women were randomly allocated to either: (1) an offer to take a hCG urine pregnancy test during the survey (on-the-spot pregnancy test) (N = 170), (2) an offer of a home pregnancy test kit to be used at any time in the future (future-use pregnancy test) (N = 163), (3) offers of both on-the-spot and future-use pregnancy tests (N = 153), or (4) a control group (N = 324). Future-use pregnancy tests were offered either for free, or randomly assigned prices. Approximately 4 weeks after the baseline survey, a follow-up survey was conducted; modern contraception methods were made available at no charge at local community outreach centers.
RESULTS
When offered a free, on-the-spot pregnancy test, 62 percent of women accepted (N = 200). Almost all, 97 percent (N = 69), of women offered a free future-use pregnancy test strip, accepted it. Purchases of future-use pregnancy tests declined with price. The offer of either on-the-spot, future-use tests, or both, have no overall large or statistically significant effects on the take-up of modern family planning.
CONCLUSION
Demand for pregnancy tests is high and access to pregnancy tests has the potential to facilitate the demand for family planning. At the same time, more research is needed to understand underlying beliefs about pregnancy status and risk that guide behaviors ultimately important for maternal and neonatal health. Trial registration The study was pre-registered in July 2018 for AEA RCT registry (AEARCTR-0003187) and clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03975933). Registered 05 June 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03975933.
Topics: Contraception; Contraception Behavior; Family Planning Services; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Uganda
PubMed: 34781969
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01279-5 -
International Journal of Gynaecology... Jan 2019To assess the feasibility of using an at-home multilevel pregnancy test (MLPT) and interactive voice response (IVR) call-in system for remote follow-up of medical...
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of using an at-home multilevel pregnancy test (MLPT) and interactive voice response (IVR) call-in system for remote follow-up of medical abortion.
METHODS
A prospective pilot study was conducted among women who had a medical abortion at up to 70 days at a clinic in Mexico City, Mexico, between June 1, 2015, and January 30, 2016. Participants took an MLPT at the initial clinic visit and another MLPT at home 2 weeks later. They were requested to report their MLPT results via the IVR system and attend the clinic for follow-up evaluation.
RESULTS
Of 200 women considered for inclusion, 163 (81.5%) were included in the analysis. Only 10 (6.6%) of the 152 women who had a medical abortion on or before 63 days from last menstrual period reported MLPT results to the IVR system that required clinical evaluation to assess medical abortion outcome. The remaining 142 (93.4%) women in this group reported MLPT results that ruled out ongoing pregnancy (confirmed at clinical evaluation). Reported MLPT results ruled out ongoing pregnancy among the 11 women who had a medical abortion after 63 days; however, 1 (9%) had an ongoing pregnancy at clinical evaluation.
CONCLUSION
Use of MLPTs and the IVR system provided a streamlined approach to follow-up after medical abortion.
Topics: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; Abortion, Induced; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Mexico; Mifepristone; Misoprostol; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Prospective Studies; Telephone; Young Adult
PubMed: 30221366
DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12679 -
JAMA Jan 1996To estimate nationally what percentage of young women receive negative pregnancy test results before becoming pregnant, to explore their fertility and test histories,...
OBJECTIVE
To estimate nationally what percentage of young women receive negative pregnancy test results before becoming pregnant, to explore their fertility and test histories, and to estimate the potential for intervention at the time of a negative test result.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional study in which young women presenting to clinics for pregnancy tests were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire before test results were known that explored prior pregnancy tests, pregnancies, sexual and contraceptive histories, and childbearing attitudes.
SETTING
Fifty-two clinics including hospital, health department, Planned Parenthood, and independent facilities.
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 2926 patients aged 17 years or younger requesting pregnancy tests at presentation.
RESULTS
Among young women who had ever conceived, 34.2% had a prior negative pregnancy test result and 24.4% had a prior negative test result at a clinic. Almost three of five of the adolescent girls, including both those who had and those who had not conceived, received a negative test result at a clinic before they ever became pregnant. By the age of 14 years, the probability of a negative test result was substantially greater than the chance of a positive test. Many presented for tests even though they were quite certain that they were not pregnant.
CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent girls with a negative pregnancy test result may be an appropriate target group for intervention. One fourth of adolescent girls who have a negative pregnancy test may be identified by the health care system on that occasion in time to prevent early childbearing.
Topics: Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Planning Services; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Pregnancy in Adolescence; United States
PubMed: 8531305
DOI: No ID Found -
Radiologic Clinics of North America Jun 1982The combined use of a serum radioimmunoassay pregnancy test and high resolution utrasonography allows a more direct approach to be made in the diagnosis of ectopic... (Review)
Review
The combined use of a serum radioimmunoassay pregnancy test and high resolution utrasonography allows a more direct approach to be made in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. It is important for ultrasonographers to understand the limitations of the more readily available immunologic pregnancy tests in order to avoid misinterpreting ultrasonograms in the event that a pregnancy test is either falsely positive or falsely negative. Clinical suspicion is mandatory if the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is to be made. The referring physician should take advantage of the highly accurate information resulting from the combined findings of a positive serum HCG and the ultrasonographic images. If the statistics regarding diagnostic delay and tubal rupture are to be improved, these tests should be obtained when a patient is initially evaluated. It is important to recognize that the ultrasonographic interpretation rests primarily upon the uterine findings. A normal viable intrauterine pregnancy essentially excludes the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Other uterine appearances may result from an early intrauterine pregnancy, an abnormal intrauterine gestational event, or, as in approximately 1 per cent of pregnancies, an ectopic gestation. Subsequent evaluation in suspicious cases may require a variety of tests including serial HCG determinations, repeat ultrasound examination, uterine dilatation and curettage, culdocentesis, or laparoscopy. It is impossible to recommend a specific schematic approach for any given patient. In part, the pattern of management depends upon availability of tests, the presence or absence of adnexal or cul-de-sac findings, and, of course, the clinical status of the patient.U
Topics: Biopsy, Needle; Disease Susceptibility; False Negative Reactions; False Positive Reactions; Female; Humans; Laparoscopy; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Pregnancy Tests, Immunologic; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 6212965
DOI: No ID Found -
Transfusion Dec 2017The transmission of pathogens, antibodies, and proteins is a possible consequence of blood product transfusion. A female patient had an unexpected positive serum...
BACKGROUND
The transmission of pathogens, antibodies, and proteins is a possible consequence of blood product transfusion. A female patient had an unexpected positive serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin result, indicative of pregnancy, after she had received a transfusion with 1 unit of platelet concentrate, 4 units of red blood cells, and 4 units of pooled solvent/detergent-treated plasma (Octaplas).
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
To investigate the possibility of passive transfusion of β-human chorionic gonadotropin from the plasma transfusion, one additional unit from the same batch was thawed and analyzed. To validate the β-human chorionic gonadotropin assay for use in solvent/detergent-treated plasma and to investigate any interference in the assay, dilution experiments were performed using the implicated plasma batch diluted with male and non-pregnant female sera. Also, plasma from a known pregnant woman was diluted with Octaplas (tested negative for β-human chorionic gonadotropin) and with a male serum to validate the assay for use in solvent/detergent-treated plasma.
RESULTS
The implicated solvent/detergent-treated plasma had a mean β-human chorionic gonadotropin level of 91.5 mIU/mL. Results from the dilution experiments revealed an excellent correlation (r > 0.99) between β-human chorionic gonadotropin measurement in solvent/detergent-treated plasma and male serum and no over or under recovery of the expected results. Further measurements of β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the female recipient revealed an estimated half-life of 6 hours.
CONCLUSION
This case demonstrates the importance of considering the possibility of passive transmission of analytes to a patient from the transfusion of blood products. Furthermore, the measurement of β-human chorionic gonadotropin is valid in solvent/detergent-treated plasma using a Roche Cobas analyzer.
Topics: Adolescent; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; Detergents; False Positive Reactions; Female; Humans; Plasma; Plasma Exchange; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Solvents
PubMed: 28905381
DOI: 10.1111/trf.14304 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Apr 2014Health care providers should assess pregnancy in women seeking contraceptive services. Although urine pregnancy tests are available in most U.S. settings, their accuracy...
OBJECTIVE
Health care providers should assess pregnancy in women seeking contraceptive services. Although urine pregnancy tests are available in most U.S. settings, their accuracy varies based on timing relative to missed menses, recent intercourse, or recent pregnancy. We examined the performance of a checklist based on criteria recommended in family planning guidance documents to assist health care providers in assessing pregnancy in a sample of U.S. teenagers and young women.
METHODS
Study participants were a convenience sample of sexually active black females aged 14-19 years seeking care in an urban family planning clinic. Each participant provided a urine sample for pregnancy testing and was then administered the checklist in two formats, audio computer-assisted self-interview and in-person interview. We estimated measures of the checklist performance compared with urine pregnancy test as the reference standard, including negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value.
RESULTS
Of 350 participants, 31 (8.9%) had a positive urine pregnancy test. The audio computer-assisted self-interview checklist indicated pregnancy was unlikely for 250 participants, of whom 241 had a negative urine pregnancy test (negative predictive value=96.4%). The sensitivity of the audio computer-assisted self-interview checklist was 71%, the specificity was 75.6%, and the positive predictive value was 22%. The in-person checklist yielded similar results.
CONCLUSION
The checklist may be a valuable tool to assist in assessing pregnancy in teenagers and young women. Appropriate use of the checklist by family planning providers in combination with discussion and clinically indicated use of urine pregnancy tests may reduce unnecessary barriers to contraception in this population.
Topics: Adolescent; Checklist; Contraception Behavior; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult
PubMed: 24785604
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000000179 -
Food Chemistry Aug 2021Pregnancy test strips are one of the most mature and widely used commercial lateral flow devices used to determine pregnancy. Being a simple and rapid detection method,...
Pregnancy test strips are one of the most mature and widely used commercial lateral flow devices used to determine pregnancy. Being a simple and rapid detection method, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was used with different aptamers (hCG-apt) as probes for the detection of metal ions, small organic molecules, and proteins. Quantitative detection of target analytes was achieved using a smartphone app and a portable device developed in our laboratory. The results showed detection ranges of 1 nM-1 μM, 0.1 nM-10 μM and 32 nM-500 nM for Pb, chloramphenicol, and β-lactoglobulin, respectively, and the corresponding visual detection limits in dairy products were 5 nM, 1 nM and 50 nM, respectively. Based on these results, rapid detection of multiple analytes can be realized through aptamer modification, thereby broadening the application range of commercial lateral flow devices for analysis of food chemistry.
Topics: Animals; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Dairy Products; Female; Ferric Compounds; Food Analysis; Gold; Graphite; Humans; Limit of Detection; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Smartphone
PubMed: 33657486
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129330 -
American Journal of Clinical Pathology Feb 2012Qualitative and quantitative serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) tests are used to diagnose pregnancy. We assessed physicians' perceptions and compared turnaround... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Qualitative and quantitative serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) tests are used to diagnose pregnancy. We assessed physicians' perceptions and compared turnaround times (TATs) and performance characteristics of both tests. We surveyed 1,058 physicians about their perceptions of hCG tests. Seven months of TAT data were analyzed. hCG was measured in all qualitative samples. Pregnancy status was determined by chart review. Of the physicians surveyed, 183 responded. Forty-nine percent preferred qualitative over quantitative serum tests for determining pregnancy status. Physicians were willing to wait 45 minutes for results from either test. Qualitative tests are performed faster than quantitative tests, but TATs were not significantly different when sample transport time was considered. The negative predictive value of both tests was 99.9%. Qualitative serum hCG testing could be replaced by quantitative hCG tests, but there is no clear advantage to doing so.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biological Assay; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Diagnostic Errors; Female; Humans; Internet; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Professional Practice; Time Factors
PubMed: 22261443
DOI: 10.1309/AJCPH1PJSA9TWYOZ