The effect of fetal gender on the biochemical markers of the first-trimester screening

Objectives: To determine the effects of fetal gender on the maternal levels of first-trimester screening biochemical markers, such pregnancy-related plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). Methods: In this retrospective study, we assessed 267 cases of singleton pregnancies, who underwent first trimester screening tests and delivered between January 2016 and January 2019 at our hospital. Multiple of median (MoM) levels of PAPP-A and free beta-hCG, and the neonatal genders according to the birth records were compared and analyzed. Additionally, patients with small for gestational age (SGA) newborns, preeclampsia, and placental ablation, called ischemic placental diseases, were classified into a separate group and their PAPP-A and free beta-hCG MoM values and fetal genders were compared. Results: There was no significant relationship between the mean values of PAPP-A (1.07 +/- 0.6) and free beta-hCG (1.23 +/- 1.14) and the fetal gender (males: 137, 51.3%; females: 130, 48.7%), respectively (p=0.833; p=0.075). In 41 cases (15.4%) with ischemic placental disease, free beta-hCG values was significantly higher in the fetal females (19 cases; 46.3%) than males (22 cases; 53.7%), (1.53 +/- 1.02 and 0.77 +/- 0.53, respectively), (p=0.004). Conclusion: Pregnancy-related plasma protein A and free beta-hCG values were not affected by the fetal gender. However, the significant relationship observed between free beta-hCG MoM levels and fetal gender in patients with ischemic placental diseases suggests the need for larger studies on this topic.

Automated summary

This study found that maternal levels of first-trimester screening biochemical markers PAPP-A and free beta-hCG were not affected by fetal gender, but there was a significant relationship in patients with ischemic placental diseases.