title: The use of biochemical markers in prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation: insulin-like growth factor I, Leptin, and alpha-fetoprotein.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relation between weight deficit at birth and IGF-I, IGFBP-I, Leptin, and AFP levels in amniotic fluid after 14-18 weeks; to assess the diagnostic usefulness of these biochemical markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal, prospective study. Amniocentesis was performed in pregnant women after 14-18 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  86 controls, 18 IUGR <10 percentile, and 17 IUGR <5 percentile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant correlation was found between severity of IUGR and IGF-I, IGFBP-I, or Leptin. AFP was inversely correlated with severity of IUGR; results for the IUGR <10 percentile were: S: 65.7%, SP: 56.9%, PPV: 38.3%, NPV: 80.3%, and an overall diagnostic capacity of 65.6%. Results for the IUGR <5 percentile were: S: 76.4%, SP: 54.8%, PPV: 21.6%, NPV: 93.4% were obtained, and an overall capacity of 70.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated values of AFP in amniotic fluid may help early detection of populations at risk of developing IUGR.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Sant Joan de Déu University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. lolagomez@eresmas.com
authors.forename: M Dolores Gómez
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Roig
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sabrià
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valls
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borràs
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miró
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ponce
authors.forename: José M Laïlla
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vicens
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000032:analysis; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D020738:Leptin / Q000032:analysis*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D020738:Leptin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I