THE ROLE OF FIRST-TRIMESTER NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY MOM VALUES IN PREDICTING PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS AND PERINATAL OUTCOMES: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Introduction: To evaluate the predictive value of first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) MoM levels for pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes, and to assess their clinical utility in a district hospital lacking tertiary neonatal intensive care facilities. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 422 singleton pregnancies that underwent first-trimester combined testing at Simav State Hospital between May 2021 and September 2025. Multiple pregnancies, fetal anomalies, major maternal diseases, and incomplete data were excluded. NT, PAPP-A, and free β-hCG values were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM). Outcomes included birthweight, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and tertiary referral. ROC curve analysis, Youden index, and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Results: Mean NT, PAPP-A, and β-hCG MoM values were 1.05 ± 0.27, 0.88 ± 0.31, and 1.17 ± 0.42, respectively. NICU admission was significantly higher in pregnancies with NT >1.5 MoM (26.4% vs 9.2%; p < 0.01). Low PAPP-A (