Maternal serum advanced glycation end products level as an early marker for predicting preterm labor/PPROM: a prospective preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of maternal serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) level at 11-13 weeks' gestation for the prediction of preterm labor and or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study is performed in a university-affiliated hospital between February and April 2016. The participants of this study are low-risk pregnant women. Blood samples for maternal AGEs level were collected in the first trimester of pregnancy and all women completed their antenatal follow-up and delivered in our center. During the follow-up 21 women developed preterm labor/PPROM. The first trimester maternal AGEs levels of preterm labor/PPROM cases were compared with uncomplicated cases (n = 25) matched for age-parity and BMI. The predictive value of AGEs levels for preterm labor/PPROM was also assessed.

RESULTS: First-trimester AGEs levels were significantly higher in cases complicated with preterm labor/PPROM (1832 (415-6682) versus 1276 (466-6445) ng/L, p = .001 and 1722 (804-6682) versus 1343 (466-6445) ng/L, p = .025). According to receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the calculated cut off value of AGEs was 1538 ng/L with the sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 73.8%; and the negative and positive predictive values were 91.6% and 29.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: For the prediction of preterm labor/PPROM, the relatively high AGEs levels in the first trimester might be a useful marker.