Abstract
The possibility to deliver infants with congenital defects or diseases is thought to be associated with increased in maternal age. This fact is well established and documented in previous studies done in the United States of America. Infants with birth defects is not the only disastrous outcome, pregnancy and delivery complications, abortion, stillbirth are also known consequences. The aim of this study, to detect a possible association between increased maternal age, and Triple Screening Test results. And compare the findings of the Triple Screening Test results with abnormal pregnancy outcome among Sudanese pregnant ladies. Study performed in ninety-one pregnant ladies accepted to participate. Participants were assigned to two groups; study group including 69 (75.8%) women equal to and above 35 years and control group including 22 (24.2%) women less than 30 years. Structured questionnaire, clinical examinations including ultra-sound for the determination of gestational age were also performed. Blood samples were collected from all participants during the 14th to 20th week of gestational age. Sera were separated and used for the determination of human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha fetoprotein, and free estriol concentrations using standardized quantitative methods (ELISA) collectively known as the Triple Screening Test. In the study group, participants delivered 57 (82.6%) normal healthy infants. Twelve ladies (17.4%) delivered infants with adverse dimorphic features. The defects varied; four (5.8%) had stillbirth, four (5.8%) had abortion at the second trimester, three (4.3%) had premature delivery, and one (1.4%) had intrauterine death. And matching control group, none of the participants (0%) give birth to an infant with congenital defect. Highly significant positive correlation was detected between increase in maternal age and abnormal pregnancy outcome. The Triple Screening Test against the pregnancy outcome in study group, showed statistically significant differences between levels of β-HCG, AFP, and Free estriol and pregnancy outcomes with P-values of 0.000, 0.5240, and 0.000 were obtained using Pearson Chi-squire test of significance, respectively. Study conclude that abnormal pregnancy outcome is strongly associated with increase in maternal age. Also there were strongly association between the Triple Screening Test and abnormal pregnancy outcome.
Highlights
Introduction and Literature ReviewPregnancy is the carrying of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, inside the uterus of a human female
Β-HCG levels detected among participants in the study group showed decreased level in 27.3%, and normal level in 72.7% of samples
Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels among the study group were normal in 82.1% of samples, decreased in 16.4%, and increased in 1.5%
Summary
Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, inside the uterus of a human female. Triple screening markers, ( called the maternal serum screening test or multiple marker test), is a blood test that is performed usually between the 14th and 20th week of pregnancy This screening test measures the levels of three substances, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chrionic gonadotropin (hCG), and unconjugated estriol (uE3) in the maternal blood [20]. Technique which using in determination of three parameter in maternal serum for birth defect assessment by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique, for the quantitative in vitro diagnostic measurement of alpha fetoprotein, beta human chorionic gonadotropin and free estriol
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