title: Maternal serum mannose-binding lectin in severe preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the level of serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in severe preeclamptic patients, women with uncomplicated pregnancies, and healthy reproductive-age females and its impact on gestational age at delivery and birth weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum MBL levels were measured in 27 severe preeclampsia patients (Group 1), 27 patients with uncomplicated pregnancies (Group 2), and 25 healthy reproductive-age women (Group 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum MBL was significantly higher (p < or = 0.05) in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3, while the levels in Groups 2 and 3 did not significantly differ. The mean gestational age at delivery and mean birth weight were significantly lower in Group 1. In Group 1, serum MBL was negatively correlated (p < or = 0.05) with the gestational age at delivery and birth weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum MBL increased in preeclampsia and was negatively correlated with the gestational age at birth and birth weight, indicating an underlying immunopathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uludag University Medical Faculty, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozan