Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in healthy pregnancies and patients with preeclampsia

Design and methods: We studied serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in 68 pregnant women; 28 mild preeclampsia, 13 severe preeclampsia, and 27 healthy pregnant control subjects. Results: When compared with the healthy pregnant group preeclampsia groups had markedly decreased mean serum IGF-I levels. The difference was also significant between the mild and severe preeclampsia groups. Serum mean IGFBP-3 level was also lower in both preeclampsia groups than in healthy pregnancy group, but the difference between the preeclampsia groups did not reach significance. For IGF-IAGFBP-3 ratio. the mean levels were significantly lower in mild and severe preeclampsia groups than in healthy pregnancy group. Also the mean IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio was significantly lower in the severe preeclampsia group compared with the mild preeclampsia group. Conclusion: IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in patients with preeclampsia were compared with healthy pregnant control subjects. IGF-I and IGF-IAGFBP-3 ratio may be useful for estimate the severity of preeclampsia. (C) 2003 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. All rights reserved.