First-trimester screening for early preeclampsia risk using maternal characteristics and estimated placental volume

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strategy of screening for preeclampsia (PE) in the first trimester based on maternal characteristics, and estimated placental volume (EPV).

A prospective cohort study was performed with 351 women enrolled, of which 13 women developed PE. This study analyzed the risk of PE according to ultrasonography findings of the placenta, maternal characteristics, and serum markers. The placental ultrasound exam and maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) was determined at 11⁺⁰ to 13⁺⁶weeks and the serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE₃), and inhibin A were assayed at 14⁺⁰ to 22⁺⁰weeks. We reviewed all antenatal medical screening records and assessed the relationships of EPV of ultrasound examination, maternal characteristics, and serum markers by using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Thirteen of the 351 women (3.7%) developed PE in singleton pregnancy. The gestational age at delivery was significantly different between the normal and PE group (p < .001). In the PE group, the placental weight at delivery was not statistically different between the normal and the PE group. The EPV at the first trimester was significantly lower in women with PE compared to those without PE (p = .002). In addition, we predicted PE using combined maternal age, BMI, and EPV, which were achieving an area under the curve of 0.83 overall.

A risk prediction model of PE, which combined maternal age, BMI, and EPV can be adopted for the screening of PE at the first trimester in singleton pregnancy.