Low pregnancy-associated plasma protein-a at 10(+1) to 14(+6) weeks of gestation and a possible mechanism leading to miscarriage.

Objective: To compare pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) serum levels at 10(+1) to 14(+6) weeks gestation in groups of patients with different obstetrical outcomes.

Patients And Methods: The medical records of women who had consented to donate blood for biochemical research purposes while their pregnancies were uncomplicated were reviewed to define the clinical groups. After the clinical groups were defined, the donated maternal serum samples were thawed and PAPP-A measured by ELISA.

Maternal serum free beta-hCG levels in uncomplicated pregnancies at the 10th-15th week of gestation and the development of obstetric complications.

Objective: To determine if free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) serum levels at the 10th-14th week of gestation were different in groups of women who had experienced pregnancy complications.

Study Design: The obstetric records of women who had uncomplicated pregnancies when they consented to donate blood for biochemical research purposes early in pregnancy were reviewed. Two hundred thirteen of these women had donated blood at the 10th-14th week of gestation.