title: Can placental growth factor in maternal circulation identify fetuses with placental intrauterine growth restriction?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated whether decreased concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF) in maternal circulation differentiated placental intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) from constitutionally small fetuses. Excluding congenital syndromes, infection, and aneuploidy, we assumed IUGR with an abnormal placental pathology to be of placental origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design included a single site, case-control study of 16 cases (9 placental IUGR, 7 constitutionally small) and 79 normal controls with singleton pregnancies. Plasma PlGF was measured by Triage PlGF immunoassay according to the product insert. A positive PlGF test was defined as a concentration less than the fifth percentile for gestational age for normal pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive PlGF test was found in 9 of 9 placental IUGR cases, 1 of 7 constitutionally small fetuses, and 4 of 79 controls (P < .0001). PlGF identified placental IUGR from constitutionally small fetuses with 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity (P = .0009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary data suggest PlGF may identify placental IUGR antenatally.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Child and Family Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors: Samantha J
authors: SJ
authors: Benton
authors: Yuxiang
authors: Y
authors: Hu
authors: Fang
authors: F
authors: Xie
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Kupfer
authors: Seok-Won
authors: SW
authors: Lee
authors: Laura A
authors: LA
authors: Magee
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: von Dadelszen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor