OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown decreased levels of placenta growth factor in serum of pregnant women with preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether levels of placenta growth factor are decreased before the clinical onset of preeclampsia, and whether placenta growth factor levels are decreased in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction.

METHODS

From an ongoing longitudinal study, 101 plasma samples were collected from 72 pregnant women at weeks 11–21 of gestation. Placenta growth factor levels were determined retrospectively in plasma using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlations between plasma concentrations of placenta growth factor and pregnancy outcome were evaluated.

RESULTS

Plasma samples of 72 patients were analyzed. Forty-four patients had no pregnancy complications, 18 developed preeclampsia, and 10 women had pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction. Between week 17 and week 21 of pregnancy, a significantly lower level of placenta growth factor was found in plasma of patients who later developed preeclampsia (n= 10), compared with control pregnancies (n= 25, P=. 004). In women with a growth-restricted baby at birth (n= 5), levels of placenta growth factor were also low.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that plasma placenta growth factor levels are decreased before preeclampsia is clinically evident. The data suggest that placenta growth factor may be useful to determine the relative risk of developing preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.