Longitudinal changes in maternal serum placental growth factor and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 in women at increased risk of pre‐eclampsia

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology 2016-03, Vol.47 (3), p.324-331
• Main Authors: Khalil, A., Maiz, N., Garcia‐Mandujano, R., Penco, J. M., Nicolaides, K. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers - blood; blood pressure; Early Diagnosis; Female; Gestational Age; gestational hypertension; Humans; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced - blood; Longitudinal Studies; Placenta Growth Factor - blood; placental growth factor; Pre-Eclampsia - blood; Pregnancy; pregnancy screening; Pregnancy Trimester, Second - blood; pre‐eclampsia; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 - blood
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1002/uog.15750

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate longitudinal changes in maternal serum levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) in pregnant women who develop pre‐eclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH). Methods This was a prospective longitudinal study in women with singleton pregnancies identified by screening at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation as being at high‐risk of PE. Blood samples were taken every 4 weeks until delivery. Values were compared in women who developed preterm PE (requiring delivery before 37 weeks' gestation), term PE or GH and those who remained normotensive. Results A total of 1069 samples were analyzed in 234 women, including 172 who remained normotensive, 18 who developed GH, 22 who developed preterm PE and 22 who developed term PE. In the preterm PE group, compared to the normotensive group, sFlt‐1 levels were significantly higher from 15 weeks' gestation onward and the difference increased with gestational age (P