Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether subfertility, measured as longer time-to-pregnancy (TTP) in spontaneously conceived pregnancies, affects the first trimester levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) and hence the risk estimates in Down syndrome screening. Methods: The study included a cohort of 10469 singleton pregnant women who underwent first trimester combined screening and responded to a questionnaire regarding TTP. PAPP-A and free β-hCG levels were measured between gestational week 8+0 and 13+6 and were related to TTP. Results: The median PAPP-A and free β-hCG MoMs were significantly lower in women with a TTP ≥24months compared with the reference group with a TTP <6months (PAPP-A: 0.96 vs 1.06MoM, p=0.003; free β-hCG: 1.04 vs 1.12MoM, p=0.03). This led to an increased odds for trisomy 21 risk ≥1:300 for TTP ≥24months compared with TTP <6months, but when adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) lost significance (OR 1.4, 95% confidence interval; 0.8-2.4). Conclusion: Time-to-pregnancy ≥24months in spontaneously conceived pregnancies is associated with decreased levels of PAPP-A and free β-hCG.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Prenatal Diagnosis |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 235-240 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 0197-3851 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2014 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Biological Markers
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
- Cohort Studies
- Down Syndrome
- Female
- Humans
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Trimester, First
- Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A
- Time-to-Pregnancy