First trimester erythropoietin (EPO) serum concentration as a potential marker for abnormal placentation disorders. Reference values for erythropoietin (EPO) concentration at 11-13⁺⁶ weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the possible effect of abnormal placentation disorders such as preeclampsia (PE), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on erythropoietin (EPO) serum concentration in women in the first trimester of pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A prospective study was performed in a group of pregnant women between 11 and 13⁺⁶ weeks' gestation. Serum concentration of EPO, beta HCG, PAPP-A and PlGF was measured. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and uterine artery pulsatility index was calculated.

RESULTS

A group of 198 analyzed patients was divided into three groups depending on pregnancy outcome: abnormal placentation group (n=30), macrosomia (n=13) and control group (n=155). EPO concentrations between the three groups of patients revealed that they differ significantly (F=15.172, P<0.001). EPO concentration is significantly higher in abnormal placentation patients compared to the control group (P<0.001) and macrosomia group (P=0.004). The most significant increase in EPO concentration was detected within patients with PIH. Also the uterine artery pulsatility index was positively correlated with EPO concentration (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

First-trimester maternal EPO concentration might be considered as a possible marker of abnormal placentation disorders and should be given more attention in future prospective studies.