Assessment of β-human-derived chorionic gonadotrophic hormone (βhCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) levels as predictive factors of preeclampsia in the first trimester among Iranian women: a cohort study

A dynamic prediction model for preeclampsia using the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio combined with multiple factors

OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related multi-organ disease and a significant cause of incidence rate and mortality of pregnant women and newborns worldwide. Delivery remains the only available treatment for PE. This study aims to establish a dynamic prediction model for PE.

METHODS

A total of 737 patients who visited our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 were identified according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, forming the primary dataset. Additionally, 176 singleton pregnant women who visited our hospital from July 2022 to November 2022 comprised the verification set. We investigated different gestational weeks of sFlt-1/PLGF (soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental growth factor) ratio combined with maternal characteristics and routine prenatal laboratory results in order to predict PE in each trimester. Multivariate logistic regression was used to establish the prediction model for PE at different gestational weeks. The discrimination, calibration, and clinical validity were utilized to evaluate predictive models as well as models in external validation queues.

RESULTS

At 20-24 weeks, the obtained prediction model for PE yielded an area under the curve of 0.568 (95% confidence interval, 0.479-0.657). At 25-29 weeks, the obtained prediction model for PE yielded an area under the curve of 0.773 (95% confidence interval, 0.703-0.842)and 0.731 (95% confidence interval, 0.653-0.809) at 30-34 weeks. After adding maternal factors, uterine artery pulsation index(Ut-IP), and other laboratory indicators to the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio, the predicted performance of PE improved. It found that the AUC improved to 0.826(95% confidence interval, 0.748 ∼ 0.904) at 20-24 weeks, 0.879 (95% confidence interval, 0.823 ∼ 0.935) at 25-29 weeks, and 0.862(95% confidence interval, 0.799 ∼ 0.925) at 30-34 weeks.The calibration plot of the prediction model indicates good predictive accuracy between the predicted probability of PE and the observed probability. Furthermore, decision-curve analysis showed an excellent clinical application value of the models.

CONCLUSION

Using the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio combined with multiple factors at 25-29 weeks can effectively predict PE, but the significance of re-examination in late pregnancy is not significant.

The association between human chorionic gonadotropin and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the association between human chorionic gonadotropin and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane were searched in November 2021 using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and relevant key words.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

This analysis included published full-text studies of pregnant women with serum human chorionic gonadotropin testing between 8 and 28 weeks of gestation, investigating fetal outcomes (fetal death in utero, small for gestational age, preterm birth) or maternal factors (hypertension in pregnancy: preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placental abruption, HELLP syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus).

METHODS

Studies were extracted using REDCap software. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess for risk of bias. Final meta-analyses underwent further quality assessment using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) method.

RESULTS

A total of 185 studies were included in the final review, including the outcomes of fetal death in utero (45), small for gestational age (79), preterm delivery (62), hypertension in pregnancy (107), gestational diabetes mellitus (29), placental abruption (17), and HELLP syndrome (2). Data were analyzed separately on the basis of categorical measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin measured on a continuous scale. Eligible studies underwent meta-analysis to generate a pooled odds ratio (categorical human chorionic gonadotropin level) or difference in medians (human chorionic gonadotropin continuous scale) between outcome groups. First-trimester low human chorionic gonadotropin levels were associated with preeclampsia and fetal death in utero, whereas high human chorionic gonadotropin levels were associated with preeclampsia. Second-trimester high human chorionic gonadotropin levels were associated with fetal death in utero and preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION

Human chorionic gonadotropin levels are associated with placenta-mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes. Both high and low human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the first trimester of pregnancy can be early warning signs of adverse outcomes. Further analysis of human chorionic gonadotropin subtypes and pregnancy outcomes is required to determine the diagnostic utility of these findings in reference to specific cutoff values.

Association between human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a glycoprotein produced in the placenta, is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. We investigated the relationship between hCG levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a systematic review including studies measuring hCG blood levels in the first or second trimester, reporting on any of the 12 predefined adverse pregnancy outcomes with logistic regression-adjusted association estimates. The primary outcomes were placenta-associated complications, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm delivery. We searched PubMed, Embase and CINAHL Complete. The hCG levels were analysed as multiple of the median (MoM). Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used. Risk of bias and the certainty of evidence were assessed using ROBINS-I and GRADE, respectively. Meta-analysis also showed that hCG levels, reported as MoM ≥2/2.31/2.5, might be associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.26 to 3.44) and preterm delivery (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.47), but the evidence is very uncertain. High second trimester hCG levels may be associated with preeclampsia and preterm delivery but confidence in evidence is low.

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

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 < 0.2 or > 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 < 0.2. Other chromosomal abnormalities were nearly equally detected between those having free βHCG MoM < 0.2 or > 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 < 0.2. The current study indicates importance of free βHCG MoM in identification of at-risk pregnancies in terms of both fetal and maternal outcomes. In fact, βHCG MoM < 0.2 or > 5 can be regarded as risk factors for adverse maternal or fetal outcomes irrespective of the presence of other abnormalities in the FTS results.

Study on the Relationship and Predictive Value of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A, Maternal Factors, and Biochemical Parameters in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Large Case-Control Study in Southern China Mothers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship and predictive value of first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), maternal factors, and biochemical parameters with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in southern China mothers.

METHODS

This study recruited 4872 pregnant women. PAPP-A, the free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-HCG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL) were measured at 11-13⁺ weeks of gestation. GDM was diagnosed based on a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks of gestation. We performed stepwise logistic regression analysis to determine the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of GDM. We used Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves with the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate the predictive value of PAPP-A, maternal factors, and biochemical markers. The significance of the differences between the AUC values was assessed using the DeLong test.

RESULTS

GDM was diagnosed in 750 (15.39%) women. Independent factors for GDM were age, pre-gestational BMI, GWG before a diagnosis of GDM, previous history of GDM, family history of diabetes, FPG, TG, LDL, PAPP-A, and TC. The AUC of PAPP-A was 0.56 (95% CI 0.53-0.58). The AUC of a model based on combined maternal factors, biochemical markers, and PAPP-A was 0.70 (95% CI 0.68-0.72). Differences in AUC values between PAPP-A alone and the model based on combined maternal factors, biochemical markers, and PAPP-A were statistically significant (Z= 9.983, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

A Low serum PAPP-A level in the first trimester is an independent risk factor for developing GDM later in pregnancy. However, it is not a good independent predictor although the predictive value of a low serum PAPP-A level increases when combined with maternal factors and biochemical markers.

Blood biomarkers to predict the onset of pre-eclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pre-eclampsia is one of the most common pregnancy complications, and a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality globally. Diagnosis currently takes place in the third trimester based on clinical symptoms. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine the blood biomarkers that are associated with pre-eclampsia, and in particular, the biomarkers that could predict pre-eclampsia in early pregnancy. We searched the electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library) from inception up to March 2022. Prospective studies with 1000 or more participants that measured blood biomarkers to predict or diagnose pre-eclampsia have been included in this systematic review. Biomarkers' measurements were considered from the first up to the third trimester, but not during labor. Data concerning pre-eclampsia, biomarker measurements and study characteristics were extracted. Meta-analysis was performed when possible. We found a total of 43 studies (assessing 62 different biomarkers in 18,170 pregnancies, have been included in this systematic review, and a total of 6 studies (assessing 2 biomarkers have been included in the meta-analysis). Statistical analysis was performed for PlGF and sFlt-1. Mean difference in PlGF levels between pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnancies, appear to increase as the pregnancy progresses. Results of sFlt-1 meta-analysis were inconclusive. No significant publication bias was identified. This is the most comprehensive and up to date systematic review and meta-analysis on this important topic on blood biomarkers for the early prediction of pre-eclampsia. Further This research highlights the urgent needed for further discovery research to identify blood biomarkers that could predict the development of pre-eclampsia.

Relationship between extreme values of first trimester maternal pregnancy associated plasma Protein-A, free-β-human chorionic gonadotropin, nuchal translucency and adverse pregnancy outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between extreme values of first trimester screening markers and adverse obstetric outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study was conducted by examining the prenatal and postnatal perinatal records of 786 singleton gestations between the ages of 18-40, who applied to Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital outpatient clinics for first-trimester screening for aneuploidy, between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019.

RESULTS

The presence of small for gestational age (SGA) was found to be statistically significant for the <5 percentile (<0.37) pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) group (p = 0.016). For <5 percentile β-hCG group, the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), premature rupture of membrane (PROM) and preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) was determined as a statistically significant risk (p = 0.015, p = 0.005, p = 0.02 respectively) In the univariate test, fetal death rate was found to be high for ≥90 percentile at nuchal translucency (NT), but the presence of fetal death was found to be statistically insignificant in logistic regression analysis. (p: 0.057).

CONCLUSION

First trimester screening test can be used in predicting pregnancy complications. In this study we found that serum levels of PAPP-A are associated with developing SGA, while GDM, PROM and PPROM are more common in low serum free β-hCG.

A Review of Roles of Uterine Artery Doppler in Pregnancy Complications

The invasion of trophoblasts into the uterine decidua and decidual vessels is critical for the formation of placenta. The defects of placentation are related to the etiologies of preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates. It is possible to predict significant vascular events during pregnancy through uterine artery Doppler (UAD). From the implantation stage to the end of pregnancy, detecting changes in uterine and placental blood vessels can provide a favorable diagnostic instrument for pregnancy complications. This review aims to collect literature about the roles of UAD in pregnancy complications. We consider all relevant articles in English from January 1, 1983 to October 30, 2021. Predicting pregnancy complications in advance allows practitioners to carry out timely interventions to avoid or lessen the harm to mothers and neonates. Administering low-dose aspirin daily before 16 weeks of pregnancy can significantly reduce the incidence of pregnancy complications. From early pregnancy to late pregnancy, UAD can combine with other maternal factors, biochemical indicators, and fetal measurement data to identify high-risk population. The identification of high-risk groups can also lessen maternal mortality. Besides, through moderate risk stratification, stringent monitoring for high-risk pregnant women can be implemented, decreasing the incidence of adversities.

Role of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and human-derived chorionic gonadotrophic hormone (free β-hCG) serum levels as a marker in predicting of Small for gestational age (SGA): A cohort study

Background:

Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) is one of the most important conditions, which is associated with the risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity. The levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and β-human-derived chorionic gonadotrophic (β-hCG) in the first trimester can predict this adverse outcome, considering the controversial nature of studies in this area, this cohort study was conducted to investigate the role of PAPP-A and freeβ-hCG levels for predicting SGA.

Materials and Methods:

In this cohort study, from 16 randomly selected health centers in Isfahan, Iran, 4605 volunteer pregnant women who had performed first-trimester fetal anomalies screening tests were chosen based on the census, from July 2016 to June 2018. The multiples of the median (MoM) PAPP-A <0.4 and MoM β-hCG >3 were considered as abnormal; the samples were followed up after childbirth. The biomarkers' serum levels, relative risk, and odds ratio (OR) of SGA were compared in both SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) groups.

Results:

In the SGA group, the mean of MOM PAPP-A was significantly lower (0.96 vs. 1.1 with P = 0.001) and MoM βhCG was significantly higher (1.24 vs. 1.15 with P = 0.01) than the AGA group. Odds for SGA in subjects with MoM PAPP-A <0.4 were 3.213; P = 0.001 and for subjects with MoM βhCG >3 reported as 0.683; P = 0.111.

Conclusion:

The results of the study showed that the low levels of PAPP-A would cause 3.213 times increase in the chance of developing SGA and no association between high level of βhCG >3 with SGA. Therefore, low level of the PAPP-A is a warning indicator for SGA.

EGR1 Overexpression Inhibits the Occurrence of Preeclampsia by Binding to MicroRNA-574 Promoter and Upregulating GAB1

Early growth response protein 1 (EGR1) is potent in modulating placental trophoblast cell growth and shows a differential expression in preeclampsia (PE). We aimed to identify the downstream mechanism of EGR1 in PE. RT-qPCR showed EGR1 was significantly decreased in PE placenta. Overexpression of EGR1 facilitated the proliferation and invasion of HTR-8/Svneo cells, and reduced the concentration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in the supernatant. Bioinformatics prediction, ChIP, and luciferase reporter experiments revealed that EGR1 inhibited miR-574 expression by binding to miR-574 promoter and that miR-574 targeted GAB1. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-574 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of HTR-8/Svneo cells. GAB1 was downregulated in placenta of PE patients, which was positively correlated with EGR1 and negatively correlated with miR-574. Inhibition of GAB1 attenuated the effect of EGR1 overexpression on the proliferation and invasion of HTR-8/Svneo cells. All in all, EGR1 upregulated GAB1 by inhibiting miR-574, thus contributing to trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion.