Intrauterine growth restriction and circulating neurotrophin levels at term.
BACKGROUND
Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses are those with estimated weight <10th customized centile, displaying signs of chronic malnutrition and hypoxia leading to brain sparing effect. Neurotrophins, [Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4)] are important for pre- and post-natal brain development.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate circulating NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4 levels in IUGR and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fullterm fetuses and neonates (day-1 [N1] and day-4 [N4]) and in their mothers.


METHODS
Prospective case control study.


METHODS
60 mothers and their single 30 IUGR and 30 AGA fullterm fetuses and neonates.


METHODS
Determination, by enzyme immunoassays, of NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4 plasma levels.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences existed between IUGR and AGA maternal, fetal and neonatal levels of BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4. NGF was significantly higher in AGA than IUGR maternal (p=0.007), fetal (p=0.01), neonatal day 1 (p=0.043) and 4 (p=0.003) plasma, and positively correlated with the infants' centiles and birthweights. IUGR and AGA maternal neurotrophins were higher than the respective fetal and neonatal ones and no correlation with gender or delivery mode in both groups was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In the perinatal period, circulating levels of BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4 do not differ in IUGR and AGA pregnancies, in contrast to NGF levels, which are higher in the AGA group. NGF is the only neurotrophin correlating with customized centiles and birthweights of the infants. Neurotrophin concentrations are higher in maternal plasma and do not depend on gender.
Malamitsi-Puchner
Ariadne
A
Neonatal Division, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. malamitsi@aias.gr
Nikolaou
Konstantinos E
KE
Economou
Emmanuel
E
Boutsikou
Maria
M
Boutsikou
Theodora
T
Kyriakakou
Marialena
M
Puchner
Karl-Philipp
KP
Hassiakos
Demetrios
D
D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D047929:Term Birth / Q000097:blood*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; C073922:neurotrophin 4