Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between maternal serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), unconjugatedestriol (uE3) and poor pregnancy outcomes, determine whether these markers are effective predictors of poor pregnancy outcomes and to compare their levels in women with prior cesarean section and no prior uterine surgery. Material and Methods: Women with cesarean section due to a previous uterine surgery (n= 87) and women with no prior uterine surgery and performed vaginal delivery (n= 105) whose prenatal care was performed in the same clinic were included. Second trimester maternal serum levels of AFP, HCG and uE3, as well as multiples of the median (MoM) of these markers were evaluated. Differences in biochemical marker levels between groups and their relationship to poor maternal-fetal outcomes were assessed. Results: AFP, HCG, and uE3 levels of second trimester screening test markers, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. When both groups are evaluated together, there is a negative, statistically significant association between neonatal weight and AFP level. When comparing the presence of fetal complications and the biochemical markers of the second trimester screening test HCG and E3, no statistically significant difference was observed. It was found that AFP levels of cases with fetal complications were statistically significantly higher than those of cases without fetal complications (p<0.01). Conclusion: While high AFP-MoM levels may be a warning of fetal complications, second trimester screening test markers were found to be insufficient to predict maternal complications. The levels of these markers was not different between women with prior cesarean section or no prior uterine surgery. Conducting this study with a larger sample could provide further valuable information.
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