Could fetal gender affect maternal serum placental alkaline phosphatase levels in healthy pregnant women?

Aim: We aimed to research whether fetal gender affects maternal placental alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in uncomplicated pregnancies with late term. Materials and Methods: The serum placental ALP measurement was carried out in 88 healthy pregnant women at 38 - 39 weeks of gestation. Infant sex was determined at the delivery for all women included in this study. Placental ALP levels were compared between pregnant women bearing female and male fetuses. Results: Although placental ALP levels were slightly higher in pregnant women carrying female fetuses than in male bearing pregnant women, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Fetal gender was seen not to affect maternal serum placental ALP levels in healthy pregnant women at 38 - 39 weeks of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]