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Serum cystatin C in pregnancies with normal and restricted fetal growth

Ariadne Malamitsi-Puchner1, Despina D Briana, Louiza Kontara

  • 1Neonatal Division, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. amalpu@aretaieio.uoa.grmalamitsi@aias.gr

Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
|July 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Fetal cystatin C levels are lower in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies and decrease after birth. Maternal cystatin C does not correlate with fetal levels, but neonatal levels correlate with creatinine and urea.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Renal Physiology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with impaired kidney development (nephrogenesis).
  • Cystatin C is an endogenous marker of renal function, but its perinatal dynamics in IUGR are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate circulating cystatin C levels in mothers, fetuses, and neonates in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and IUGR pregnancies.
  • To compare cystatin C levels between groups and assess correlations with renal function markers.

Main Methods:

  • Serum cystatin C, creatinine, and urea levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay in 40 mothers and their 20 IUGR and 20 AGA fetuses/neonates.
  • Measurements were taken in fetuses and on postnatal days 1 (N1) and 4 (N4).
  • Statistical analyses were performed to compare groups and assess correlations.

Main Results:

  • Fetal cystatin C was lower in the IUGR group compared to the AGA group (P = .001).
  • Maternal cystatin C levels were lower than fetal, N1, and N4 levels in both groups.
  • Fetal levels were higher than N1 and N4 levels, and N1 levels were higher than N4 levels.
  • Positive correlations were found between cystatin C, creatinine, and urea in maternal and neonatal samples (r >= 0.376, P <= .045).
  • No correlation was observed between maternal and fetal cystatin C levels.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal cystatin C serum levels are lower in IUGR pregnancies and decrease significantly after birth.
  • Circulating cystatin C levels do not correlate with maternal levels in the perinatal period.
  • Neonatal cystatin C levels correlate with creatinine and urea, supporting its role as a renal function marker in this period.

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