Placenta growth factor levels in second-trimester maternal serum in Down syndrome pregnancy and in the prediction of preeclampsia

Objectives To determine the levels of placenta growth factor (PIGF) in second-trimester maternal serum samples from pregnancies affected with fetal Down syndrome and from those that developed preeclampsia and to assess the utility of PIGF as a screening tool for these conditions. Methods Residual second-trimester maternal serum samples were retrieved from freezer storage for 39 cases of Down syndrome and 44 pregnancies that later developed preeclampsia. Each case was matched to 5 control samples for gestational age at collection and duration of freezer storage. PIGF levels were measured in each sample by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results PlGF levels increased with gestational age between 15 and 20 gestational weeks. After adjusting for gestational-age effects, the median level of PIGF was 1.01 MoM in Down syndrome pregnancy and 0.74 MoM in pregnancies that developed preeclampsia, which were not significantly different from matched controls. The duration between sampling and onset of preeclampsia did not have an effect on the PIGF level. Conclusion PIGF levels are not significantly altered in second-trimester maternal serum samples from cases of Down syndrome or in pregnancies that develop preeclampsia. (C) Copyright 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.