THE ASSOCATION OF FIRST TRIMESTER PAPP-A, FREE B-HCG AND NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY WITH FETAL BIRTH WEIGHT AND LENGTH IN UNCOMPLICATED PREGNANCIES

Objective: To assess the relationship between the first-trimester screening markers [pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), free human chorionic gonadotrophin-beta (f beta-hCG), nuchal translucency (NT)] and fetal birth weight and length in uncomplicated pregnancies. Design: Data about first-trimester screening markers and fetal birth weight and length were obtained from patient files and assessed. Setting: Gaziosmanpafla University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokat. Patients: 97 patients who had an uncomplicated pregnancy course, screened and gave birth in the hospital. Interventions: First trimester aneuploidy screening and birth. Main Outcome Measures: Any possible relation between f beta-hCG, PAPP-A, NT and birh weight and length that were standardized according to Turkish population. Results: PAPP-A was positively correleted with the birth weight that was standardized according to Turkish population (r=0.236, p=0.02). PAPP-A was significantly lower in small for gestational age (SGA) babies when compared with normal weighing babies (p=0.042, 95% CI: 0.01-0.547). A PAPP-A cut-off value of (sic)0.85 was foud to have a sensitivity of 100% for detection of SGA babies; however, its specificity was low. No correlation was found between any of the investigated parameters and the fetal length that was standardize according to Turkish population (for Z-fetal length and f beta-hCG, PAPP-A and NT MoM Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.049, 0.058 and 0.121 and p values were 0.632, 0.575 ve 0.242 respectively). Conclusion: Pregnancies that PAPP-A levels are found to be low during first trimester screening must be closely followed-up even no complication has been developed for risk of SGA babies.