Elevated fetal fibronectin in midtrimester amniotic fluid is involved with the onset of preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine early midtrimester amniotic fluid for its significance in pregnancy outcomes, especially with connection to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.


METHODS
A prospective, nested, case-control study was conducted. Fetal fibronectin in early midtrimester (16-20 weeks gestation) amniotic fluid was measured by EIA method. Results were compared by their pregnancy outcomes.


RESULTS
Amniotic fluid levels of fetal fibronectin were significantly higher in the group subsequently developing severe preeclampsia (106.8 +/- 13.2 micrograms/ml, mean +/- SD, n = 12) compared with matched controls (66.7 +/- 7.1 micrograms/ml, n = 12) (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of fetal fibronectin were found in the amniotic fluid of women subsequently developing severe preeclampsia before any symptom appear. Involvement of extracellular injury or cellular hyperactivity in the midtrimester placental site with the onset of preeclampsia is suggested.
Sakura
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
Nakabayashi
M
M
Takeda
Y
Y
Sato
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies
D005353:Fibronectins