Prediction of the pre-eclampsia in the first trimester - pilot study

Aim of study was to find out the possibility of prediction of pre-eclampsia in the first trimester among patients with risk factors.

Prospective study. Name and seat of workplace: 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comenius University in Bratislava, the University Hospital of Bratislava.

Study included 77 women, who were examined in first trimester between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks of gestation from 1. 6. 2016 to 1. 6. 2017 in 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetric in the Comenius University Hospital in the Bratislava and enlisted patients delivered until 31. 2. 2018. The study was approved by Hospital Ethics Committee and all patients signed consent form. We included patients, who ran at least one risk factor for developing pre-eclampsia, nulliparous, pregnancy after assisted reproduction technology, body mass index 25 in the beginning of pregnancy, age of patients and multiple gestation pregnancy. In addition, an ultrasound scans were performed in the first trimester. Doppler ultrasound pulsality index of uterine artery, pregnancy-associated plasma protein and mean arterial pressure were used for prediction of the pre-eclampsia. Sensitivity and specificity of test were calculated. We assessed pre-eclampsia according to diagnostic criteria of the American College Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In the last part, we compared perinatal and maternal outcomes in the pre-eclampsia group and in the control group.

Statistical analysis was realized by the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 Software. Risk factors were analysed by using Fisher exact test and Odds ratio. Mann-Whitney test and a one way analysis of variance were used for comparison the pre-eclampsia group and the control group.

Patients, whose had got conceived after assisted reproduction technology, had significant higher probability of pre-eclampsia (Odds ratio = 7.7, p = 0.028). Patients with multiple gestation pregnancy had also significant higher risk of pre-eclampsia (Odds ratio = 16.5, p = 0.031). Mean arterial pressure was only significant as predictive test in 12th weeks of gestation. Adverse perinatal outcomes and higher rate of cesarean section were in the preeclampsia group.

Mean arterial pressure is easy to use and cost-effective predictor, but sensitivity was only 66.6% and specificity 49%.