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Published on: June 29, 2013
Circulating levels of inflammatory markers in intrauterine growth restriction
Theodora Boutsikou1, George Mastorakos, Marialena Kyriakakou
1Neonatal Division, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece.
Insights
Perinatal stress markers high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), PAI-1, and S100B did not differ between appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) neonates. This suggests inflammation may be more intense in IUGR infants, despite reduced fat mass.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Neonatology
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with altered fetal development and potential inflammation.
- Circulating markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and S100B are implicated in stress and inflammation.
- IUGR and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) pregnancies exhibit differences in fat mass and metabolic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in perinatal stress markers (hs-CRP, PAI-1, S100B) between IUGR and AGA pregnancies.
- To explore the relationship between these markers and potential inflammation in brain and adipose tissue in IUGR and AGA neonates.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of hs-CRP, PAI-1, and S100B were measured.
- Samples were collected from 40 mothers and their 40 neonates (20 AGA, 20 IUGR) on postnatal days 1 and 4.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare marker levels between the two groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in hs-CRP, PAI-1, or S100B levels were observed between the AGA and IUGR groups at any time point.
- Despite lower birth weight and reduced fat mass in IUGR neonates, these inflammatory markers did not differ.
Conclusions:
- The absence of elevated hs-CRP, PAI-1, and S100B in IUGR neonates may suggest a more profound inflammatory state in adipose tissue and the nervous system.
- Other inflammation-related mechanisms, potentially linked to conditions like preeclampsia, might be involved in the IUGR state.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex inflammatory pathways in IUGR.
Abstract:
We aimed to investigate possible alterations in circulating levels of the perinatal stress markers high sensitivity (hs)-CRP, PAI-1, and S100B--probably reflecting brain and adipose tissue inflammation--in intrauterine growth-restricted-(IUGR) and appropriate-for-gestational-age-(AGA) pregnancies, given that these groups differ in fat mass and metabolic mechanisms involving aseptic inflammation. Serum hs-CRP, PAI-1, and S100B levels were measured in 40 mothers, and their 20 AGA and 20 IUGR full-term fetuses and neonates on postnatal days 1 and 4. hs-CRP, PAI-1, and S100B levels did not differ at all time points between AGA and IUGR groups. We conclude that the lack of difference in hs-CRP, PAI-1 and S100B levels, between IUGR and AGA fetuses/neonates--despite the lower birth weight, reflecting reduced fat mass in the former--might indicate more intense adipose tissue and nervous system inflammation in IUGRs. However, implication of other inflammation-related mechanisms, common in the IUGR state (e.g. preeclampsia), cannot be excluded.
