First-trimester placental growth factor as a marker for hypertensive disorders and SGA.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine first-trimester maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) levels in pregnancies which later develop hypertensive and growth complications.


METHODS
In this case-control study, PlGF levels were measured by AutoDELFIA immunoassay platform. There were 47 cases of at least one of the following adverse outcomes: pre-eclampsia (PE), small for gestational age (SGA), haemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) and gestational hypertension (GH) and 452 matched controls.


RESULTS
PlGF levels were significantly lower in cases of all PE, early PE, HELLP, all SGA, early SGA and SGA without PE, but not in GH, late PE, late SGA, PE with SGA or PE without SGA or HELLP.


CONCLUSIONS
Low levels of first-trimester PlGF provide a good indicator of SGA complications and some hypertensive disorders, in particular severe cases of PE such as early onset and HELLP syndrome.
Prenatal Research Unit, Clinical Biochemistry Department, King George Hospital, Goodmayes IG3 8YB, UK.
N J
NJ
Cowans
A
A
Stamatopoulou
E
E
Matwejew
C S
CS
von Kaisenberg
K
K
Spencer
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood; D008954:Models, Biological; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis
D015415:Biomarkers; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor