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First trimester maternal serum placental growth factor levels in twin pregnancies
Author(s) -
Cowans Nicholas J.,
Spencer Kevin
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.4243
Subject(s) - singleton , placental growth factor , medicine , obstetrics , twin pregnancy , pregnancy , gestational age , monochorionic twins , first trimester , gestation , second trimester , gynecology , preeclampsia , biology , genetics
ABSTRACT Background An understanding of the normal behavior of biochemical markers in twin pregnancies is necessary in order to offer prenatal screening to this subgroup. This study investigates the levels of first trimester maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) in twin and singleton pregnancies. Methods The PlGF concentrations were measured by an automated assay in the first trimester maternal serum of 440 dichorionic twin, 116 monochorionic twin, and 607 singleton pregnancy samples thawed from frozen storage. Results The PlGF concentrations in singleton levels were predicted by gestational age, maternal ethnicity, and smoking status. Following the correction for these variables, PlGF levels were, on average, 41% higher in dichorionics, but only 16% higher in monochorionics, compared to singleton pregnancies. Conclusions First trimester maternal serum PlGF levels are increased in twin pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies, but to less of an extent than is common with other screening markers, especially in monochorionic twins. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.