Research Article

Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Volume: 23 Number: 3 October 1, 2026
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Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A levels and second-trimester ultrasonographic placental thickness in pregnancies with and without gestational diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 216 singleton pregnancies (72 with gestational diabetes mellitus, 144 controls). Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria using a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test performed at 24–28 weeks of gestation. First-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A levels were recorded as multiples of the median, and placental thickness was measured ultrasonographically at 24–28 weeks using a standardized technique. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus had lower pregnancy-associated plasma protein A multiples of the median levels than controls (0.84 ± 0.52 vs. 1.38 ± 0.70, p<0.001) and greater placental thickness (35.4 ± 7.6 vs. 31.1 ± 7.1 mm, p<0.001). Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A levels showed a moderate negative correlation with placental thickness in the gestational diabetes mellitus group (r=−0.54, p<0.001) and a weaker negative correlation in controls (r=−0.19, p=0.030). Linear regression analyses demonstrated that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A was a significant negative predictor of placental thickness in both groups, with a stronger association in gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus were characterized by lower first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A levels and increased second-trimester placental thickness. The stronger inverse association between these parameters suggests a closer relationship between early placental dysfunction and subsequent placental structural changes.

Keywords

References

  1. Arcot A, Walker RE, Gallagher K, Goldstein JA, Gernand AD. Gestational diabetes mellitus and vascular malperfusion lesions in the placenta: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2025;170(3):1071-1083.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 1, 2026

Submission Date

July 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 31, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 3

APA
Eşkin Tanrıverdi, M. D., & Akkaya, H. (2026). Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, 23(3), 297-303. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.2002424
AMA
1.Eşkin Tanrıverdi MD, Akkaya H. Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23(3):297-303. doi:10.38136/jgon.2002424
Chicago
Eşkin Tanrıverdi, Merve Didem, and Hatice Akkaya. 2026. “Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 (3): 297-303. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.2002424.
EndNote
Eşkin Tanrıverdi MD, Akkaya H (October 1, 2026) Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 3 297–303.
IEEE
[1]M. D. Eşkin Tanrıverdi and H. Akkaya, “Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus”, Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 297–303, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.38136/jgon.2002424.
ISNAD
Eşkin Tanrıverdi, Merve Didem - Akkaya, Hatice. “Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23/3 (October 1, 2026): 297-303. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.2002424.
JAMA
1.Eşkin Tanrıverdi MD, Akkaya H. Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23:297–303.
MLA
Eşkin Tanrıverdi, Merve Didem, and Hatice Akkaya. “Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 297-03, doi:10.38136/jgon.2002424.
Vancouver
1.Merve Didem Eşkin Tanrıverdi, Hatice Akkaya. Association of First-Trimester Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels With Second-Trimester Placental Thickness in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026 Oct. 1;23(3):297-303. doi:10.38136/jgon.2002424