First trimester TTR-RBP4-ROH complex and angiogenic factors in the prediction of small for gestational age infant's outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of the TTR-RBP4-ROH complex components (transthyretin, serum retinol binding protein, retinol) and of angiogenic factors PlGF (placental growth factor) and sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) in pregnancies complicated by small for gestational age infants (SGA).


METHODS
Case control study conducted on maternal serum collected between 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. TTR, RBP4, ROH, PlGF and sFlt-1 were measured in SGA patients (birth weight <10%) who delivered at term (n = 37) and before 37 weeks of gestation (n = 17) and in a matched control group with uneventful pregnancies (n = 37).


RESULTS
We found decreased RBP4 in SGA patients that delivered fetuses <3% and in fetuses delivered after the 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls [1.50 (95% CI 1.40-1.75) vs 1.62 (95% CI 1.47-1.98), p < 0.05]. Further, we found lower PlGF and sFlt-1 concentrations in SGA that delivered before 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls (respectively, PIGF and sFlt-1: 39.7 pg/ml (95% CI 32.3-66.3) vs 62.9 pg/ml (95% CI 45.2-78.4) and 906 pg/ml (95% CI 727-1626) vs 1610 pg/ml (95% CI 1088-212), p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
First trimester maternal serum RBP4 and angiogenic factors PlGF and sFlt-1 can differently predict the timing of delivery of pregnancies complicated by SGA fetuses.
Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Franziskus-Hospital of Ahlen, Robert-Koch-Straße 55, 59227, Ahlen, Germany. fruscal@libero.it.|Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany. fruscal@libero.it.
Arrigo
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8958-6049
A
Fruscalzo
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Julia
J
Frommer
Obstetrics and Gynecology, DISM, AOU "SM della Misericordia" of Udine, Udine, Italy.|Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monfalcone, Italy.
Ambrogio P
AP
Londero
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
Andrea
A
Henze
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
Florian J
FJ
Schweigert
Centrum für Laboratoriumsmedizin, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Jerzy-Roch
JR
Nofer
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.|Department of Fetal Cardiology, Herz-und Diabetes Zentrum NRW, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.|Center for Prenatal Medicine und Human Genetic, Münster, Germany.
Johannes
J
Steinhard
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Walter
W
Klockenbusch
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Ralf
R
Schmitz
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
Jens
J
Raila
D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood*; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / Q000032:analysis*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*
D011228:Prealbumin; C101326:RBP4 protein, human; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D014801:Vitamin A; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
First trimester; Low birth weight; Marker; PlGF; Pregnancy; RBP4; Retinol; Small for gestational age; TTR; Vitamin A; sFlt-1