Clinical and pathogenetic causes of developing complications in multiple pregnancy

Abstract

To assess the role of the placental growth factor in the development of gestational complications during multiple pregnancy, there was conducted a study of this indicator in serum of 320 pregnant women with multiple pregnancy in the first trimester and 40 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy (the control group). The objective of the research was to study the effect of placental growth factors on the gestational process in multiple pregnancy. Materials and Methods. There was conducted a prospective study of pregnancy and childbirth in 320 females with multiple pregnancy (the main group) and 40 healthy women with singleton pregnancy. The level of serum placental growth factor was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies in the first trimester of pregnancy. The indicators of the hemostasis system (vascular, platelet and coagulation components) were evaluated according to generally accepted methods. Doppler ultrasound of the placental and fetal blood flow was performed in the uterine arteries, the umbilical artery and vein, the fetal middle cerebral artery. Results. Women with multiple pregnancy were at high risk of developing gestational complications such as preterm deliveries (67.8%, p < 0.01), placental dysfunction, pre-eclampsia (17.5%, p < 0.05). The disorders of the vascular platelet and coagulation hemostasis in the first trimester of pregnancy were the main risk factors for early termination of pregnancy. Low level of serum placental growth factor in pregnant women with multiple pregnancy in case of preterm delivery, placental dysfunction and pre-eclampsia (111.23 ± 8.4, 203.24 ± 6.4 and 305.86 ± 7.4 pg/ml), in comparison with the corresponding indicators in singleton pregnancy (418.2 ± 10.4 pg/ml), was proven to be a prognostic marker for the development of gestational complications. Conclusions. Timely correction of gestational complications in multiple pregnancy with micronized progesterone, low molecular weight heparins, angio-protective agents allowed us to prolong pregnancy with monochorionic placentation type for 3.2 weeks (up to 34.2 ± 2.4 weeks) and provide full-time delivery of dichorionic twin pregnancy.