Predictive Value Of Placental Growth Factor In Preeclampsia

Abstract

Background Preeclampsia is a common obstetric complication which causes both a maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The exact etiology is still unknown. Development of a test for preeclampsia with the use of a pathophysiologically relevant biomarker, such as Placental Growth Factor (PlGF), may have advantages over blood pressure and urinary protein, which are the consequences of established disease. Aim The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of plasma PlGF concentrations in women presenting with suspected preeclampsia. Methods This was a prospective observational study; that was carried out on a total sample of 80 women. The study was conducted between September 2021 and September 2022 at obstetrics and gynecology department of Damanhur Medical National Institute. We investigated and followed up all first trimester pregnant women who were at risk of pre-eclampsia. Women with confirmed diagnosis of pre-eclampsia development were included in case group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used according to manufacturer principles to detect concentration of PLGF in the patient sample. Also, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt -1) was measured according to manufacturer principles to detect sFlt-1/PlGF ration. Results Mean PLGF concentration in patients who developed pre-eclampsia was significantly decreased compared to others. So, sFlt-1/PlGF in patients who developed pre-eclampsia was significantly increased compared to others. Conclusion PLGF concentration showed good specificity in the prediction of the development of pre-eclampsia with statistical significance. sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PLGF showed high sensitivity in the prediction of the development of pre-eclampsia with statistical significance.