Effects of serum placental growth factor on preeclampsia and pregnancy outcome

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of serum placental growth factor (PLGF) levels in preeclampsia and normal pregnant women, and to explore the relationship between the levels of serum PLGF and preeclampsia and the effects on pregnancy outcome. MethodsA total of 60 pregnant women who chose to deliver in our hospital were enrolled in the current the study. They were divided into three groups (n=20): a mild preeclampsia group (Group MPE), a severe preeclampsia group (Group SPE), and a normal pregnancy group (Group normal pregnancy). Their levels of PLGF were measured by ELISA. ResultsGroup SPE produced remarkably reduced levels of PLGF than Groups MPE and normal pregnancy (P<0.05). Meanwhile, Groups MPE showed marked decreases in PLGF level compared with Group normal pregnancy (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient between neonatal birth weight and PLGF was 0.611 (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe levels of PLGF in pregnant women decrease as preeclampsia develops, which may be used as a monitoring index to predict the development of preeclampsia and pregnancy outcome.