First trimester maternal serum free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin and pregnancy associated plasma protein A as predictors of pregnancy complications.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the value of first trimester maternal serum free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta hCG) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) as predictors of pregnancy complications.

DESIGN

Screening study.

SETTING

Antenatal clinics.

POPULATION: Singleton pregnancies at 10-14 weeks of gestation.

METHODS

Maternal serum free beta hCG and PAPP-A were measured at 10-14 weeks of gestation in 5,584 singleton pregnancies. In the 5,297 (94.9%) pregnancies with complete follow up free beta hCG and PAPP-A were compared between those with normal outcome and those resulting in miscarriage, spontaneous preterm delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension or fetal growth restriction and in those with pre-existing or gestational diabetes.

RESULTS

Maternal serum PAPP-A increased and beta hCG decreased with gestation. The multiple of median maternal serum PAPP-A was significantly lower in those pregnancies resulting in miscarriage, pregnancy induced hypertension, growth restriction and in those with pre-existing or gestational diabetes mellitus, but not in those complicated by spontaneous preterm delivery. The level was < 10th centile of the reference range in about 20% of the pregnancies that subsequently resulted in miscarriage or developed pregnancy induced hypertension or growth restriction, and in 27% of those that developed gestational diabetes. Maternal serum free beta hCG was < 10th centile of the reference range in about 15% of the pregnancies that subsequently resulted in miscarriage or developed pregnancy induced hypertension or growth restriction, and in 20% of those that developed gestational diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Low maternal serum PAPP-A or beta hCG at 10-14 weeks of gestation are associated with subsequent development of pregnancy complications.