Excess soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and low platelet counts in premature neonates of preeclamptic mothers.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship of neonatal platelet count and preeclampsia to levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cord blood of preterm infants.


METHODS
Sixty-nine preterm infants with a gestational age between 26 and 37 weeks at birth were enrolled. sFlt-1, PlGF, and VEGF levels in the cord blood of preterm neonates, with or without maternal preeclampsia, were measured using a standardized sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.


RESULTS
Infants with maternal preeclampsia had higher cord blood sFlt-1 but lower PlGF and VEGF levels. There was a significantly positive relationship between neonatal platelet count and birth weight and a significantly negative relationship between neonatal platelet count and cord blood sFlt-1 levels. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only birth weight and cord blood sFlt-1 levels were independently related to neonatal platelet count, whereas maternal preeclampsia, gestational age (GA), and small for GA (SGA) were not related. Neonates with thrombocytopenia had higher cord blood sFlt-1 levels but lower birth weight. A significant correlation was also found between birth weight and cord blood sFlt-1 levels. Multiple regression with birth weight as the dependent variable found that only GA and cord blood sFlt-1 levels were independently related. Furthermore, infants with high cord blood sFlt-1 were more likely to have lower platelet count and maternal preeclampsia, be SGA, and have a trend toward lower birth weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Excess sFlt-1 may play an important role in the development of maternal preeclampsia- induced neonatal thrombocytopenia, and SGA.
Tsao
Po-Nien
PN
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan. tsaopn@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Wei
Shu-Chen
SC
Su
Yi-Ning
YN
Chou
Hung-Chieh
HC
Chen
Chien-Yi
CY
Hsieh
Wu-Shiun
WS
D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D010976:Platelet Count; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*
D006133:Growth Substances; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1