History of preeclampsia: The significance of first-trimester biochemical screening of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and human chorionic gonadotropin in predicting recurrence

AIM: We aimed at assessing the significance of first-trimester biochemical screening of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (РАРР-А) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in predicting the recurrence of preeclampsia (PE) in pregnant women with early and late history of gestational PE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospectively included 94 labor histories and prenatal medicals records of pregnant women (2020–2021). Moreover, their first-trimester biochemical screening parameters (РАРР-А and hCG) with a gestational PE history were performed to predict the recurrence of PE. They were divided into three groups (two study groups and a control group). Groups 1 and 2 included 31 labor histories each with late- and early-onset PE, respectively. Group 3 (controls) consisted of 32 labor histories with uncomplicated pregnancies.

RESULTS: In the groups with a gestational PE history and recurrence, a significant decrease in РАРР-А levels was found at 11–14 weeks of gestation. We equally observed high levels of first-trimester hCG in late-onset PE, most probably due moderate degrees of PE recurrence and not gestational age. However, severe degrees of recurrence prevailed in early-onset PE.

CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in РАРР-А levels measured at 11–14 weeks of gestation is a significant predictor of recurrence of PE in the group of pregnant women with a gestational PE history.