This study was undertaken to investigate the association between placenta p
revia and Down syndrome screening analytes-alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hCG-
during the second trimester. Measurements of maternal serum AFP and hCG con
centrations were retrospectively analysed in relation to placenta previa in
a cohort of 46 consecutive singleton pregnancies affected by placenta prev
ia from January 1993 through December 1997 at the University Hospital of Ku
opio, Finland, and then compared with those in healthy singleton control pr
egnancies (N = 9560) from the same clinic over the same period of time. Geo
metric means of maternal serum AFP and hCG concentrations in pregnancies wi
th placenta previa were 1.13 and 0.85 multiples of the median (MoM), respec
tively. The mean maternal age was higher in the subjects than in the contro
ls (30.9 years compared with 28.8 years) (p < 0.01). In relation to Down sy
ndrome risk assessment, the pattern of the two markers together with matern
al age indicated high risk as often in the study subjects as in the control
s. Even though the maternal serum AFP and hCG differences were not statisti
cally significant, they may be of some clinical importance, and further stu
dies are needed to evaluate whether placental site should be taken into acc
ount in maternal serum screening. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
.