Do first trimester maternal serum follistatin like 3 levels predict preeclampsia and/or related adverse pregnancy outcomes?

Abstract

Do first trimester maternal serum follistatin like 3 levels predict preeclampsia and/or related adverse pregnancy outcomes? Y. E. Purut 1 , E. E. Buyukbayrak 2 , F. Ercan 1 , A. Orcun 3 , M. Menke 3 , A. Y. Karageyim Karsidag 4 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marmara University Pendik Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul 3Department of Biochemistry, Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kirklareli University, Kirklareli (Turkey) Summary Purpose of Investigation: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether first trimester maternal serum follistatin like 3 (FSTL3) levels can be used to predict preeclampsia and related obstetric complications. Materials and Methods: The serum levels of FSTL3, pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), and free β-hCG were determined in the first trimester from a sample of 180 pregnant women. All patients had first- and second-trimester ultrasound evaluations. The pregnancy outcome was defined as ‘adverse’ if one of the following outcomes were observed: fetal death, preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), delivery of a small infant for gestational age (SGA) or preterm delivery. Results: FSTL3 levels were not significantly different for preeclampsia and related adverse obstetric outcomes compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Only PAPP-A MoM values were lower in the adverse obstetric outcome group than in the control (p = 0.040). There was no significant association among FSTL3 levels and the presence of any complications, according to our ROC curve analyses (p = 0.846). Conclusions: First trimester FSTL3 levels are not predictive for preeclampsia or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Key Words: Adverse outcome; First trimester; Follistatin like 3; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy