Abnormal multiple marker screens are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in cases of intrauterine growth restriction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if abnormal multiple marker screens (MMS) are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies.


METHODS
This was a case control study of IUGR pregnancies (birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age [GA]) delivered in our unit over 6 years. Cases were compared with controls for the association between abnormal MMS and adverse perinatal outcomes (APO).


RESULTS
Of the 261 IUGR pregnancies, 39 (16%) had at least 1 APO. An elevated HCG was significantly associated with an APO (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.4). A low uE3 was also associated with an APO (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.2-14). The association between an elevated AFP and APO was not statistically significant (OR 1.6, 95% CI, 0.6-4.6).


CONCLUSIONS
An elevated HCG and low uE3 were associated with APO in cases of IUGR. This information could be useful in identifying a subset of IUGR cases deserving closer surveillance.
Ilagan
John G
JG
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Stamilio
David M
DM
Ural
Serdar H
SH
Macones
George A
GA
Odibo
Anthony O
AO
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D004964:Estriol