Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association between first-trimester biochemical markers—pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG)—and adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by isolated single umbilical artery (SUA).
Materials and methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted at a tertiary perinatology center between January 2023 and January 2025. The study group included 266 pregnant women diagnosed with isolated SUA, and the control group included 266 healthy singleton pregnancies. First-trimester serum PAPP-A and β-hCG MoM values were compared between groups. Composite adverse perinatal outcome (CAPO) was defined as the presence of at least one of the following: preterm birth, fetal growth restriction (FGR), oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios, intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) or NICU admission.
Results: Although PAPP-A MoM levels were not significantly different between the SUA and control groups, PAPP-A values were significantly lower in SUA cases that developed CAPO (p

Key words: single umblical artery; Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A; beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; pregnancy outcome