Investigation of proline rich acidic protein 1 (PRAP1) levels in preterm delivery

Aim: Preterm birth, defined delivery between gestational weeks of 20 and 36 is a significant cause of perinatal mortality and complications. Several factors play role in development of preterm delivery. A spesific blood marker would be a milestone for prevention, however such a molecule has not been described. In this study, maternal serum PRAP1 protein assumed to function as an molecule for implantation of embrio was measured and its relation to preterm delivery was assesed. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at Adıyaman University Medical School Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between September 2020 and May 2021 including total of 50 pregnants, of which 25 pregnants with preterm labor between the gestation weeks of 24 + 0 - 36 + 6 were classified as preterm delivery group and 25 with term labor and without any obstetrical complaints were classified as control group. Serum PRAP1 levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Groups were compared in term of gestational week, age, BMI, obstetric ststus (gravida, parity, abortus). Results: Mean serum PRAP1 levels were found 20.06 ng/ml in control group and 15.76 ng/ml in preterm group (p=0.273). Conclusion: Serum PRAP1 levels were found lower in preterm group. However this difference statistically was not significant (p=0.273). Increasing sample size might result in larger difference in the result. Based on the results lower levels of serum PRAP1 might be a factor causing preterm delivery.