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Maternal thromboxane and prostacyclin levels in relation to fetal birth weight
C L de Jong1, K M Paarlberg, H P van Geijn
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Postbus 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. dejong-speelman@wxs.nl
Objective:
To analyse whether pregnancies resulting in a small for gestational age neonate are preceded by a prostacyclin deficiency or an imbalance between thromboxane and prostacyclin.
Study Design:
At five fixed time points during pregnancy, 24-h urine samples were collected for the measurement of thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolites thromboxane-B(2) (TXB(2)) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha) (6-keto-PGF(1alpha)). In order to study trend differences between pregnancies with appropriate (AGA; n=26) and small for gestational age neonates (SGA; n=17), trend analysis with simple contrasts were accomplished for TXB(2), 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) and the TXB(2)/6-keto-PGF(1alpha) ratio.
Results:
Trend analysis showed higher TXB(2) levels and higher TXB(2)/6-keto-PGF(1alpha) ratios in patients with SGA versus AGA newborns. No statistically significant difference in 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) excretion between patients with SGA and AGA newborns was detected.
Conclusion:
The birth of an SGA neonate is not preceded by prostacyclin deficiency. With ongoing pregnancy an imbalance between thromboxane and prostacyclin becomes more obvious in pregnancies with SGA newborns.