The efficiency of first trimester maternal serum biochemical markers on pregnancy prognosis

The first trimester screening test offers a non invasive option to estimate the risk for Down syndrome during pregnancy. First trimester screening test which is performed between 11-14 weeks gestation comprises maternal serum ß-hCG, pregnancy associated plasma protein - A and fetal nuchal translucency thickness. Recent studies suggest that abnormal levels of first trimester serum markers, PAPP-A and free ß-hCG, may be associated with pregnancy complications, such as growth disorders, hypertansive disorders, preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, intrauterine exitus and spontaneous abortions. The aim of our study was to evaluate weather first timester serum markers are associated with abnormal pregnancy outomes. The study was performed with 890 patients in our clinic. According to our results low pregnancy- associated plasma protein A and free ß-hCG levels are associated with a few pregnancy complications. Especially low PAPP-A MoM levels are found to be associated with intrauterine exitus, preterm delivery before 32 weeks and low birth weight. These results are similar to findings of recent litherature. However low levels of free ß-hCG was associated only with gestational diabetes. None of the high levels of these serum markers were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although many studies were performed about this subject additional studies to improve the prediction model are needed. But these results can be usefull to counsel women with abnormal levels of first trimester serum analytes as PAPP-A and free ß-hCG.