Investigation of Serum Pregnancy-Specific Beta-1-Glycoprotein and Relationship with Fetal Growth Restriction

The most used definition for fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a fetus whose estimated weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age. Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSG-1) is an immunomodulator found in maternal serum during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the serum levels of PSG-1 and clarify the potential role of this molecule in the etiopathogenesis of FGR.

Eighty women carrying fetuses with FGR and 80 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. Demographic data, laboratory values, and Doppler Ultrasonography (USG) results of all cases were recorded. Venous blood samples were taken from all cases before birth. PSG-1 values were studied by the ELISA method. An Independent Samples T-test was used to evaluate the results. The correlations between parameters were evaluated based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

When the groups were evaluated for serum PSG-1 levels, the median serum PSG-1 level was lower in pregnant women carrying fetuses with FGR than in controls (0.05 < p>0.10). Median serum PSG-1 was lower in patients with absent end diastolic flow (AEDF) in the umbilical artery in Doppler ultrasound scans than in patients without AEDF, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In patients with serum PSG-1 values below 12.93 with 50% sensitivity and 76% specificity, the risk of FGR was higher.

Serum PSG-1 levels may be lower in complicated pregnancies due to problems related to placental insufficiency and FGR.