Changes in circulating level of angiogenic factors from the first to second trimester as predictors of preeclampsia

This study was undertaken to assess changes in placenta growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 as predictors of preeclampsia.

Nested case-control study of 154 preeclampsia cases delivered preterm and 190 delivered at term, and 392 controls.

Comparing the lowest and highest quartile of placenta growth factor increase from first to second trimester, the odds for preterm preeclampsia was 13.8 (95% CI, 4.4-43.2) higher for women with the lowest increase. Compared with controls, women with preterm preeclampsia had lower soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 in the first, but higher in second trimester. Comparing highest and lowest quartile of increase, the odds for preterm preeclampsia was 9.2 (95% CI 3.4-25.0) higher for women with highest increase. Low placenta growth factor and high soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 increase combined yielded extremely high relative risk of preterm preeclampsia (odds ratio, 35.3, 95% CI, 7.6-164.2), compared with the combination of high (placenta growth factor) and low (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) increase.

Low placenta growth factor and high soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 increase from first to second trimester are strong predictors of preeclampsia.