Maternal serum activin, inhibin, human chorionic gonadotrophin and alpha-fetoprotein as second trimester predictors of pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the serum levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), alpha-fetoprotein, activin A, inhibin A and inhibin isoforms containing pro and alphaC in the second trimester serum of women who subsequently developed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with those who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy.


METHODS
Retrospective case-control study of 15-20 week serum samples matched for duration of storage at -20 degrees C.


METHODS
Antenatal clinics at a teaching hospital in Scotland.


METHODS
Second trimester serum samples of 39 women who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia, 31 who subsequently developed pregnancy-induced hypertension and 155 women who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy.


METHODS
hCG, alpha-fetoprotein, activin A, inhibin A and inhibin pro-alphaC serum levels.


RESULTS
Activin A levels in serum were significantly elevated in women who later developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (26% increase compared with controls) and hCG levels were significantly elevated in women who later developed pre-eclampsia (24% increase compared with controls). alpha-Fetoprotein, inhibin A and inhibin pro-alphaC levels were not significantly elevated in the patient groups compared with their controls.


CONCLUSIONS
A combination of analyses including second trimester serum activin A and hCG may yet prove to be helpful predictors of women at risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. While the results proved significant, the effects reported in this study are too modest compared with natural variability to be useful as screening tools on their own.
Davidson
Emma J
EJ
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Riley
Simon C
SC
Roberts
Stephen A
SA
Shearing
Catherine H
CH
Groome
Nigel P
NP
Martin
Cameron W
CW
D028341:Activins / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000097:blood*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; C422405:activin A; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; C422362:inhibin A; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits