title: Role of maternal plasma levels of placental growth factor for the prediction of maternal complications in preeclampsia according to the gestational age at onset.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe the distribution of placental growth factor (PlGF) plasma levels in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (PE) according to the gestational age at clinical onset and to assess PlGF's predictive role for maternal complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 84 women whose pregnancies were complicated by PE before 37 weeks' gestation were enrolled. According to gestational age at onset, three groups were defined: group I, <28 weeks; group II, 28 to 31(+6)  weeks; and group III, 32 to 36(+6)  weeks. PlGF plasma levels were measured at diagnosis, and their association with maternal complications was investigated. Plasma PlGF levels below 12 pg/mL were designated as very low.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PlGF levels were very low in seven (87.5%) of eight women diagnosed before 28 weeks' gestation, 29 (78.4%) of 37 patients diagnosed between 28 and 32 weeks' gestation, and 16 (41%) of 39 cases diagnosed after 32 weeks' gestation. The sensitivity of very low PlGF values for predicting maternal complications was 76.9%, but the false positive rate was 65.5%. Positive and negative predictive values were 34.5% and 76.9%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The predictive role of a low PlGF level in predicting maternal complications in very early PE is limited because of both its low specificity and low positive predictive value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, ICGON, Fetal and Perinatal Medicine Research Group (IDIBAPS) and Center of Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine Department, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meler
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scazzocchio
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peguero
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Triunfo
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gratacos
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Figueras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor