DETERMINATION OF THE ROLE OF MATERNAL SERUM PAPP-A LEVEL IN PREDICTING PREGNANCY OUTCOME

Considering the complications of pregnancy such as abortion, preeclampsia, preterm delivery and intrauterine death, identifying mothers who are at risk of pregnancy complications can help control and improve pregnancy outcomes. The goal of this perinatal care study was to achieve good pregnancy outcomes that considered maternal health and good fetal outcomes.

In the present case-control study, 400 pregnant women who were referred to the prenatal clinics of Motahari Hospital in Urmia in the second half of 1398 and the first half of 1399, as well as mothers who were in the first 3 months of pregnancy, were selected and included in the study. They were divided into two groups of 200. The case group consisted of 200 mothers with a serum PAPP-A level of less than 0.4 and no aspirin. The control group also included 200 mothers with serum PAPP-A levels higher than 0.4. Pregnancy complications including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction and intrauterine death were compared between groups.

 The results of this study showed that preeclampsia due to PTL (Preterm Labor) (P = 0.001) and also due to IUFD (Intrauterine Fetal Death) (P = 0.049) had a significant relationship with low serum PAPP-A, while Low serum PAPP-A level was not significantly associated with preeclampsia, IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and gestational hypertension.

Measurement of serum PAPP-A alone  cannot predict pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, IUGR, and preterm delivery, and it seems that should be considered along with other clinical and paraclinical indices that are useful in predicting these complications in pregnant mothers.