Pregnancy and delivery outcomes following a pathological second trimester triple test screening result and a normal karyotype

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether obstetrical complications are increased in pregnancies with a normal karyotype and an abnormal triple test (TT) (≥1:380 or more) where all analytes were within the normal range. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent a TT and delivered in a tertiary medical center, was conducted. Patients were divided into a study group (pregnancies with abnormal TT) and a control group (normal TT). In both groups, the analyte concentrations were within the normal range and the karyotype was normal. Demographic and clinical characteristics, antenatal factors, gestational complications and perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Results: An abnormal TT result in the presence of normal analytes and a normal karyotype, had no impact on obstetrical complications. A direct association between elevated values of hCG within the normal range (0–2.0 MoM) and pathological TT was noticed (OR = 2.6, p < 0.01). On the other hand, an inverse correlation between elevation in AFP (0–2.0 MoM) and uE3 was found (OR < 0.01, p < 0.01; OR < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: An abnormal TT result in the presence of normal analytes and a normal karyotype, had no influence on rate of obstetrical complications.

Keywords::

• Adverse perinatal outcomes
• human chorionic gonadotropin
• obstetrical complications
• second trimester biochemical screening
• triple test
• serum alpha-fetoprotein

Declaration of Interest: All authors report no declaration of interest.