title: Abnormal second-trimester serum analytes are more predictive of preterm preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the association of abnormal second-trimester serum analytes with early preterm preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study of 7767 subjects undergoing second-trimester serum aneuploidy screening. Values of maternal serum α-fetoprotein (AFP), β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and inhibin (INH) were calculated as multiples of the median (MoM) and evaluated by gestational age at delivery and occurrence of preeclampsia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 459 (6.5%) cases of preeclampsia, 65 (14%) delivered <34 weeks and 394 (86%) delivered >34 weeks. Elevated AFP, hCG, and INH >2 MoM were associated with preeclampsia, and the odds ratio was higher for the development of preeclampsia <34 weeks than >34 weeks (odds ratio, 8.04 vs 2.91 for AFP, 3.6 vs 2 for hCG, and 4.17 vs 3.08 for INH, P < .001 for all). The higher the MoM for each analyte the greater the likelihood of preeclampsia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated AFP, hCG, and INH levels >2 MoM are associated with developing early preeclampsia, and the more elevated they are, the higher the likelihood.
authors: Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Richelle N
authors: RN
authors: Olsen
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Woelkers
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Dunsmoor-Su
authors: D Yvette
authors: DY
authors: Lacoursiere
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007265:Inhibins