Elevated endothelin levels are associated with increased placental resistance.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to measure cord blood endothelin-1,2 concentrations in growth-restricted infants with abnormal flow velocity waveforms.


METHODS
Endothelin-1,2 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in the cord blood of 16 growth-restricted infants with abnormal flow velocity waveforms before delivery, 16 growth-restricted infants with normal flow velocity waveforms before delivery, and 44 appropriately grown infants. Clinical data regarding pregnancy complications and neonatal outcome were collected.


RESULTS
The mean endothelin-1,2 concentration in growth-restricted infants with abnormal flow velocity waveforms (50.2 +/- 16.4 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in growth-restricted infants with normal flow velocity waveforms (33.3 +/- 14.2 pg/ml, p < 0.05) or in appropriately grown infants (25.8 +/- 9.7 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Oligohydramnios was also associated with elevated endothelin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that endothelin-1,2 concentrations are elevated in growth-restricted infants with abnormal flow velocity waveforms and may play a role in the development of abnormal fetoplacental resistance.
Harvey-Wilkes
K B
KB
Department of Pediatrics, Floating Hospital for Children, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Nielsen
H C
HC
D'Alton
M E
ME
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood; D019333:Endothelin-2 / Q000097:blood; D016232:Endothelins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D019332:Endothelin-1; D019333:Endothelin-2; D016232:Endothelins