Human chorionic gonadotropin and vascular endothelial growth factor in normal and complicated pregnancies

To study the relationships between maternal serum concentrations of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both normal pregnant women during late pregnancy and women with pregnancy complications.

Sixty-six women in three groups were prospectively studied: 1) women diagnosed with fetal growth restriction (n = 22), 2) women with preeclampsia (n = 22), and 3) healthy pregnant women (controls) frequency matched for age, parity, and gestational age (n = 22). Primary outcomes were maternal serum concentrations of both beta-hCG and VEGF. Placental insufficiency was defined by a pulsatility index in umbilical artery greater than the 99th percentile for gestation.

Maternal serum concentrations of beta-hCG and VEGF were greater in women with preeclampsia than in controls (P = .001 and P = .002, respectively) and women with fetal growth restriction (P = .002 and P = .002, respectively). Concentrations did not differ between women with fetal growth restricted fetuses and controls. Correlation between beta-hCG and VEGF was not significant in any of the studied groups. Serum VEGF concentrations were significantly increased in a subgroup of 12 women with placental insufficiency (P = .04) and correlated with beta-hCG concentrations (r = .63, P = .02).

Both VEGF and beta-hCG maternal serum concentrations were increased in women with preeclampsia but normal in women with fetal growth restriction, although VEGF concentrations were increased in those cases with placental insufficiency. Maternal serum beta-hCG and VEGF concentrations did not correlate except in women with placental insufficiency.