Are Women with a History of Low PAPP-A at Risk for Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in a Subsequent Pregnancy?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine if patients with a history of low pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in an initial pregnancy are at higher risk for adverse obstetric outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study in patients who underwent first trimester screening for PAPP-A in two consecutive pregnancies. Two groups were examined patients who had low PAPP-A in the first pregnancy followed by normal PAPP-A in the second pregnancy and patients who had recurrent low PAPP-A. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the groups, with the primary outcome being intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or preeclampsia. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were included, representing 248 pregnancies. Ninety-two (74.2%) patients had normal PAPP-A in the second pregnancy, and 32 (12.9%) patients had recurrent low PAPP-A. Patients with recurrent low PAPP-A had a higher rate of IUGR or preeclampsia compared with patients with normal PAPP-A in the second pregnancy but this was not significantly different (12.5 vs. 10.9%, p = 0.51). There were no significant differences for all other outcomes. CONCLUSION: Among patients with a history of low PAPP-A, patients with normal PAPP-A in the subsequent pregnancy have a similar risk of adverse neonatal outcomes compared with patients with recurrent low PAPP-A.