title: Second trimester amniotic fluid endothelin-1 concentrations and subsequent development of intrauterine growth restriction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this prospective study was to record endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations in the second trimester amniotic fluid and compare these values in women who developed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) later in pregnancy with those with uneventful pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 125 women in the second trimester of pregnancy. The levels of ET1 were measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the 125 women included in the study 12 had pregnancies that later developed IUGR and 88 had uneventful pregnancies. The ET1 concentration was significantly higher (P<0.005) in women who later developed IUGR than in normal pregnancy (106 pg/ml versus 64.7 pg/ml).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amniotic fluid concentration of ET1 is elevated by the second trimester in women who later develop IUGR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Patras, Greece. laviniamarg@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Margarit
authors.forename: Anthony N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsapanos
authors.forename: Sotiris
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsakas
authors.forename: Dimitios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gumenos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Decavalas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019332:Endothelin-1