Journal Article > Case Report/SeriesFull Text
Oxf Med Case Reports. 2024 January 27; Volume 2024 (Issue 1); omad147.; DOI:10.1093/omcr/omad147
Phillipo D, Lucas S, Kalunga MP, Inyasi E, Lebba JP, et al.
Oxf Med Case Reports. 2024 January 27; Volume 2024 (Issue 1); omad147.; DOI:10.1093/omcr/omad147
False-negative qualitative Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) result is a phenomenon in which large amounts of β-hCG are produced by molar pregnancy, oversaturating the test’s assay system and leading to false-negative results known as the ‘prozone phenomenon’ or the ‘hook effect’. This can lead to misdiagnosis and delay in management despite high suspicious clinical and ultrasound findings. We report a case of an 18-year-old female who presented to our health facility with amenorrhea of 16 weeks, lower abdominal pain, soft and large fundal height for gestational age, and cramping with slight per-vaginal bleeding, and a negative urinary pregnancy test (UPT). Based on clinical presentation, ultrasound findings and a positive UPT after urine dilution, molar pregnancy was diagnosed. Aspiration was performed under ultrasound guidance, and follow-up was done as per MSF guidelines. HCPs need to be familiar with some rare cases for which the possibility of finding false-negative UPT is likely.