Biochemical markers in screening for preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the concentrations of substances released by the placenta: placental growth factor (PIGF), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and the risk of early and late preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 180 pregnant women between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks gestation were recruited for a case-control study Twenty-two patients suffered from early PE, 29 patients from late PE. Data analyzed during the study included maternal histoty and concentrations of PAPP-A, PlGF beta-hCG.

RESULTS: The multiple of the median (MoM) value of the PAPP-A concentrations was 1.01 in the control group (interquartile range (1QR), 0.65-1.55), 0.67 (1QR, 0.382-0.82) in the group of patients with early preeclampsia and 0.74 (IQ, 0.33-1.09) in the group of patients suffering from late preeclampsia. MoM value of the PIGF concentrations was 1.21 in the control group (IQR, 0.93-1.57), 0.62 (IQR, 0.51-0.96) in the group of patients with early preeclampsia and 0.92 (lQR, 0.63-1.09) in the group of patients suffering from late preeclampsia. MoM value of beta-hCG concentrations was 1.14 in the control group (IQR, 0.75-1.49), 1.08(IQR, 0.74-1.23) in the group of patients with early preeclampsia and 1,25(IQR, 1,05-1,49) in the group of patients suffering from late preeclampsia. The performance of screening was determined by the areas under the curve and detection rates, with a fixed false-positive rate of 10%.

CONCLUSIONS: Decreased levels of PAPP-A and PIGF are related to an increased risk of preeclampsia and its complications.