The Association between Maternal Serum Biomarkers (HCG.MSAFP.UE3 Inhibin A) in Second Trimester Pregnancy and Preterm Delivery

Introduction: To investigate the association between second Trimester Maternal Serum Biomarkers (HCG, MSAFP, UE3, Inhibin A) and Pre-term delivery. Methods: This study is a longitudinal study which was performed on 700 pregnant women attending Nilou Laboratory, Tehran, Iran during March 2008 to September 2008. Reproductive and demographic data as well as the results of Quad Marker Screening test were collected. The sample was followed up till delivery for maternal outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for biomarker values for prediction of PTD was produced. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values were calculated at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean age of the studied women was 26.17(±4.27) years. 53 (7.3%) pregnancies were ended in PTD (before 37weeks). Using multiple of median (MoM) of 1.4 for AFP, 1.5 for Inhibin A, 1.25 for HCG and 0.8 for UE3, sensitivity and specificity for Quad test was 20.8 and 32% respectively. There was a statistically significant association between MS UE3 and preterm delivery (p<0.009). Conclusion: The study results suggested that MSUE3 might be helpful in predicting PTD; however its application as a screening tool for PTD needs further studies.