Diagnostic value of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in women with intrauterine fetal growth restriction

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranHead of community and Family Medicine

3 Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22038/ijogi.2025.87532.6417

Abstract

Abstract



Introduction: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality as well as long-term growth and health problems. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in assessing the risk of IUGR.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 80 pregnant women with IUGR infants and 80 pregnant women with normal-weight infants who underwent first-trimester screening and delivery at Imam Reza Hospital were studied. Gestational age at the time of blood sampling for PAPP-A measurement was between 11 and 13 weeks. Group matching was performed for maternal age, gestational age at the time of testing, and body mass index (BMI). Infants with birth weight below the 10th percentile were considered IUGR.

Results: The mean PAPA-A level in women with IUGR infants (0.83±0.37) was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.17±0.95) (P < 0.002), but the mean human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) level was not statistically significantly different in the two groups. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for PAPA-A was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.34-0.84, P = 0.002), but the odds ratio for β-HCG was not significant.

Conclusion: The present study showed that decreased serum PAPA-A levels in pregnant women can be associated with the birth of IUGR infants.

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 November 2025

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