Measurement of plasma placental proteins and estriol in the detection of intrauterine growth retardation.

This study was designed as an assessment of the clinical value of total estriol, placental lactogen (hPL), pregnancy specific glycoprotein (SP1), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and placental protein 5 (PP5), measured in a single sample of maternal serum, in the detection of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in a large series of high risk pregnancies. Our results show the highest detection rate with SP1 (51%) and second highest with hPL (35%); estriol was less useful while PAPP-A and PP5 were of no value. However, there was 31% of false positives with SP1 compared with 14% for hPL. The best combination of the five parameters for the diagnosis of IUGR was achieved by measurement of both SP1 and hPL, with a low concentration of either protein indicating IUGR (sensitivity 63%, specificity 63%).