| The Association Between Unexplained Second-Trimester Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Elevations and Perinatal Complications. |
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Ja Young Jeong, Jae Seong Park, Sung Su Kang, Kyeong Min Jeong, An Teak Kim, Yong Ho Moon, Ki Sung Chung |
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masan Samsung General Hospital, Korea. |
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| Abstract |
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Our purpose was to study the correlation between elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein(MSAFP) or human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) levels and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), preeclampsia, preterm delivery. MSAFP and HCG levels were measured in stored second-trimester(14~22 weeks) serum obtained from 510 women. The criteria for patients with unexplained MSAFP elevations were a MSAFP level 2.5 or greater multiples of the median(MoM) and HCG elevations were a HCG level 2.0 or greater multiples of the median(MoM) excluding multiple pregnancy, fetal malformation or death on ultra-sonography and molar pregnancy. In contrast, patients with MSAFP levels 0.5 to < 2.5 MoM, HCG levels < 2.0 MoM were served as controls. Women with elevated HCG levels had more significant association with PIH than control group(22.2 % versus 3.4 % ; p < .005). Elevated MSAFP was significantly associated with preeclampsia(7.7 % versus 1.1 % ; p < .05). But no significant differences were observed in the incidence of preterm delivery. We suggested elevated second-trimester MSAFP or HCG levels appear to be correlated with high risk for PIH and preeclampsia. So, These patients require careful monitoring with adequate obstetric managements. |
| Key Words:
Unexplained elevation, Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, Human chorionic gonadotropin, Pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia |
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