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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Maternal serum ADAM-12 as a potential marker for different adverse pregnancy outcomes
E Matwejew1, N J Cowans, A Stamatopoulou
1Department of Obstetrics, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.
Insights
First-trimester ADAM-12 levels were elevated in pregnancies that later developed pre-eclampsia (PE) and HELLP syndrome. However, the clinical utility of ADAM-12 as a predictive biomarker for these adverse pregnancy outcomes remains uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive medicine
- Biomarker discovery
- Maternal-fetal medicine
Background:
- Hypertensive disorders and fetal growth complications significantly impact pregnancy outcomes.
- Early identification of at-risk pregnancies is crucial for timely intervention.
- ADAM-12 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase domain-12) is a protein with potential roles in pregnancy complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate first-trimester ADAM-12 serum levels in pregnancies that subsequently develop hypertensive disorders or fetal growth issues.
- To determine if ADAM-12 can serve as an early predictive marker for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 47 pregnancies with adverse outcomes (pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, gestational hypertension, small for gestational age) and 452 matched controls during the first trimester (11-14 weeks gestation).
- ADAM-12 concentrations were quantified using the AutoDELFIA immunoassay.
- Statistical analysis involved correcting for gestational age, maternal weight, and smoking status.
Main Results:
- ADAM-12 levels demonstrated a positive correlation with gestational age and negative correlations with maternal weight and smoking.
- Significantly elevated ADAM-12 levels (multiples of the median) were observed in pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome, all cases of pre-eclampsia (PE), and PE-only.
- These findings suggest a potential association between higher first-trimester ADAM-12 and specific adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusions:
- First-trimester ADAM-12 concentrations were found to be higher in pregnancies that later developed pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.
- These results contrast with some previous studies, highlighting a need for further investigation.
- The predictive value of ADAM-12 for adverse pregnancy outcomes requires additional research to be clarified.
Objective:
To investigate first-trimester ADAM-12 levels in pregnancies which later develop hypertensive and growth complications.
Methods:
First-trimester serum samples (11(+0) to 13(+6) weeks) were retrieved from frozen storage. 47 samples with at least one of the following adverse outcomes: pre-eclampsia (PE), small for gestational age, HELLP syndrome and gestational hypertension were analysed and 452 controls matched to the cases by gestational age and length of storage were analysed. ADAM-12 levels were measured by the automated AutoDELFIA immunoassay platform.
Results:
ADAM-12 was found to increase with gestational age (11(+0) to 13(+6) weeks) and decrease with increasing maternal weight and in women who smoked. After correction, ADAM-12 median multiples of the median were increased in cases with HELLP syndrome, all PE and PE only.
Conclusion:
The increased first-trimester levels of ADAM-12 in PE and HELLP are in contrast with previous findings. The usefulness of ADAM-12 as a marker for adverse outcomes is still unclear.
