Relationship between first trimester maternal PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein-A) and free β-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels with fetal birth weight

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between maternal serum PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A) and free β-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) values with fetal birth weight.
METHODS: 554 patients who applied to Yıldırım Beyazit University Atatürk Training and Research Hospital Obstetrics Clinic between January 2009 and December 2016 for first trimester combined screening tests were included in the study. Antenatal follow-up and pregnancy outcomes were examined. The relationship between adjusted multiples of median (MoM) values of maternal serum PAPP-A and free β-hCG levels and fetal birth weight (FBW); small for gestational age (SGA—fetal birth weight <10th percentile) and large for gestational age (LGA—fetal birth weight > 90th percentile) were analyzed.
RESULTS: Maternal serum PAPP-A level was found to have a relationship with SGA development (p=0.03). Every decrease per unit in the adjusted MoM value of maternal serum PAPP-A level increases the risk of SGA development three times (RR, 1/0.333; 95% CI, 0.1–0.8, p=0.030).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Correlation between PAPP-A value and SGA was found to be statistically significant. However, a similar prediction was not eligible between maternal serum PAPP-A level and LGA fetuses. On the other hand, maternal serum free β-hCG level did not have a statistical significance as a predictor for both SGA and LGA fetuses.