Original Article

Early predictors of preterm labor and preeclampsia: A prospective study

10.5455/Gulhane.208531

  • Ali Babacan
  • Özgür Dündar
  • Murat Muhcu
  • Ercüment Müngen
  • Vedat Atay
  • Cem Kızılaslan
  • Yaşam Kemal Akpak

Received Date: 19.11.2015 Accepted Date: 05.08.2017 Gulhane Med J 2017;59(2):33-38

Aims:

This study aimed to investigate various clinical/biochemical parameters as potential predictors of preeclampsia and preterm labor. MMP-2, MMP-9, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) levels were measured and Doppler ultrasonography measurements were made in pregnant women at 11-14 weeks of gestation. Findings were recorded and patients were followed until delivery.

Results:

Patients consisted of preeclampsia and/or preterm labor cases (n=40) and selected controls were pregnant women with a normal pregnancy period who delivered between 37 and 40 weeks of gestation (n=55). Multivariate analysis identified high fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 level (OR, 1.004; 95% CI: 1.001-1.007, p= 0.005), high UtA PI (OR, 30.6; 95% CI: 1.1-852, p= 0.044) and presence of any notch (OR, 36.4; 95% CI: 1.6-826, p= 0.024) as independent predictors of preeclampsia; whereas only maternal MMP-9 level emerged as a significant predictor of preterm birth, (OR, 1.001; 95% CI: 1.000-1.001, p< 0.001).

Conclusions:

These parameters deserve further investigation for their potential use (either alone or in combination) in the prediction of preeclampsia and preterm birth in the clinical setting.

Keywords: preterm labor, preeclampsia, Doppler ultrasonography, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG).