First-trimester placental growth factor as a marker for hypertensive disorders and SGA

Objective The objective of this study was to examine first-trimester maternal serum placental growth factor (PIGF) levels in pregnancies which later develop hypertensive and growth complications. Methods In this case control study, PIGF levels were measured by AutoDELFIA immunoassay platform. There were 47 cases of at least one of the following adverse outcomes: pre-eclampsia (PE), small for gestational age (SGA), haemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) and gestational hypertension (GH) and 452 matched controls. Results PIGF levels were significantly lower in cases of all PE, early PE, HELLP, all SGA, early SGA and SGA without PE, but not in GH, late PE, late SGA. PE with SGA or PE without SGA or HELLP. Conclusion Low levels of first-trimester PIGF provide a good indicator of SGA complications and some hypertensive disorders, in particular severe cases of PE such as early onset and HELLP syndrome. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.