Scientific Reports (Jan 2023)

Extreme βHCG levels in first trimester screening are risk factors for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes

  • Sarang Younesi,
  • Laleh Eslamian,
  • Nikta Khalafi,
  • Mohammad Mahdi Taheri Amin,
  • Pourandokht Saadati,
  • Soudabeh Jamali,
  • Payam Balvayeh,
  • Mohammad-Hossein Modarressi,
  • Shahram Savad,
  • Saloomeh Amidi,
  • Saeed Delshad,
  • Fariba Navidpour,
  • Bahareh Yazdani,
  • Fatemeh Aasdi,
  • Samira Chagheri,
  • Yalda Mohammadi,
  • Vajiheh Marsoosi,
  • Ashraf Jamal,
  • Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28561-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Multiples of the normal median (MoM) of free βHCG is a valuable parameter in evaluation of risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In the current retrospective study, we assessed the maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women having free βHCG MoM levels 5 in their first trimester screening (FTS). Relative risk of trisomy 21 was significantly higher in patients having free βHCG MoM > 5. On the other hand, relative risk of trisomies 13 and 18 and Turner syndrome were higher in those having free βHCG MoM 5. Relative risk of hydrocephaly and hydrops fetalis was higher when free βHCG MoM was below 0.2. On the other hand, relative risk of low birth weight was higher when free βHCG MoM was above 5. Moreover, frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, preterm delivery and vaginal bleeding increased with levels of free βHCG MoM. However, polyhydramnios had the opposite trend. Frequencies of premature rupture of membranes and pregnancy induced hypertension were highest among pregnant women having levels of free βHCG MoM 5 can be regarded as risk factors for adverse maternal or fetal outcomes irrespective of the presence of other abnormalities in the FTS results.