Determination of serum HE4 level changes during pregnancy

Aim: In this study, it is aimed to identify the HE4 levels normally range in pregnant women by measuring the HE4 levels at all trimesters and also to identify whether HE4 levels are affected by pregnancy or not. Besides, serum CA125 levels also detected and the results were compared. Methods: Healthy pregnant women (n=46) at first trimester who applied our outpatient clinic and non-pregnant healthy voluntary women (n=40) whose ages range from 18 to 38 years were included in the study. Serum HE4 and CA125 levels were checked at first, second, and third trimester in pregnant group and at the admission in control group. Descriptive statistics were presented with frequency, percentage, average (mean), standard deviation (SD), median (med), minimum (min), maximum (max) values. Fisher's Exact test or Pearson's chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between categorical variables. Findings: HE4 levels in pregnancy group were significantly lower at first and second trimester, but same at third. Serum CA125 levels in pregnancy group were significantly higher than control group at first trimester, but same at second and third. Results: Our results show that serum HE4 is a tumor marker which does not increase in pregnancy and it can be useful in differential diagnosis of adnexal masses in pregnancy. This results should be supported by more extensive and comprehensive studies.