The association of serum placental growth factor with pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and small for gestational age

Abstract

ObjectivePlacental growth factor (PlGF) is one of the many angiogenic factors, which is decreased in placenta and serum during preeclampsia (PE) and also associated with pregnancies complicated by small for gestational age. In this study, we compared serum PlGF levels with different groups (controls, PE patients, pregnant women with small for gestational age [SGA]) and evaluated the usefulness of PlGF for diagnosis. MethodsSerum samples were collected at the time of delivery from 40 women with uncomplicated pregnancies, 30 women with PE, 30 women with pregnancies complicated by SGA fetuses. Serum PlGF level was measured in all the samples using Triage PlGF test. We used the Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. ResultsMaternal serum PlGF concentrations in pregnancies complicated by PE (21.17 ±15.27 pg/mL) were significantly lower than those in uncomplicated pregnancies (133.70 ±158.80 pg/mL, P<0.01) and PlGF concentrations were decreased in pregnancies complicated by SGA fetuses (95.65 ± 210.36 pg/mL) compared with control group, but there was no statistically significant difference. ConclusionDecreased PlGF concentrations were observed in pregnancies complicated by PE and SGA. PlGF concentrations in pregnancies complicated by PE was significantly lower than those in uncomplicated pregnancies. By further prospective investigation, we may expect that the PlGF levels during pregnancy will be a marker to identify women at risk for the development of PE and SGA.