Correlation between first-trimester uterine artery Doppler indices and maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the correlation between first-trimester uterine artery Doppler measurements and maternal serum levels of free beta-hCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A).

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

Teaching hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Four hundred thirty-three women at 10-14 weeks of gestation.

INTERVENTION(S)

Doppler ultrasound of the uterine arteries. Fluorimetric immunoassays for free beta-hCG and PAPP-A.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Uterine artery mean resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and number of early diastolic notches. Maternal serum levels of free beta-hCG and PAPP-A.

RESULT(S)

There were 401 uncomplicated pregnancies. In this group, free beta-hCG and PAPP-A did not significantly correlate with uterine artery RI or PI (r values between -0.089 and 0.029, all nonsignificant). Free beta-hCG and PAPP-A levels did not significantly change with the number of notches. Uterine artery resistance and PAPP-A levels were independently correlated with birth weight.

CONCLUSION(S)

Preliminary evidence suggests that first-trimester uterine artery Doppler measurements do not correlate with maternal serum levels of free beta-hCG and PAPP-A. This may allow their combined use in multivariate screening for pregnancy complications.