Aim: to evaluate the ability of serum biochemical markers in pregnant woman - PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A) and β-hCG (the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin) studied in the first trimester (11+0-13+6) during combined prenatal screening to predict adverse perinatal outcomes of multiple pregnancy that occurred spontaneously and as a result of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Materials and methods. The main group consisted from 65 women with pregnancy occurred as a result of IVF; comparison group included 56 women with spontaneous pregnancy. All pregnancies were multiple and their outcomes were known. Serum PAPP-A and β-hCG levels were measured in the first trimester. The results were expressed in absolute values and in MoM (multiples of median). Subgroups were compared with mono- and dichorionic pregnancies, complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies, distributed according to MoM index: within the reference values (0.5-2.0), below or above the reference values. Results. PAPP-A MoM values in the spontaneous pregnancy group were 1.12 [0.8; 1.57], in the IVF group - 1.35 [1.11; 1.72] (p = 0.01). In subgroup of low PAPP-A MoM antenatal fetal death occurred in 50 %, in subgroup of normal PAPP-A MoM - in 14.58 %, in subgroup of high PAPP-A MoM - in 5.88 % (p = 0.011). In addition, a positive correlation was found between serum PAPP-A level and time of fetal death (rs = 0.564; p = 0.036). Low PAPP-A MoM values were associated with 50 % fetal mortality, 75 % of them were attributable to pregnancy as a result of IVF. Conclusion. Identification of adverse outcomes in multiple pregnancies is still a difficult task, but evaluation of serum biochemical markers during the first trimester screening can help in early diagnosis of necessity and extent of timely prophylaxis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)34-43
Number of pages10
JournalObstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • Biochemical screening, First trimester screening, Free β-hCG, Human chorionic gonadotropin, In vitro fertilization, IVF, Multiple pregnancy, PAPP-A, Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, Twins

    Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Embryology
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

ID: 87784899