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Changes of nerve growth factor in amniotic fluid and correlation with ventriculomegaly
Xiao-Yan Xia1, Xing-Hua Huang, Yi-Xin Xia
1Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing 100026, China.
Objective:
To detect the change of nerve growth factor (NGF) level in human amniotic fluid during gestation, and to explore the relationship between this change and fetal ventriculomegaly (VM).
Methods:
The studied subjects (collected from 2004 to 2007) were divided into four groups, including the second-trimester pregnancy group (n=113), third-trimester pregnancy group (n=110), fetal cerebral VM group (n=12), and healthy control group (n=12) which matched with the VM group in gestational weeks. The amniotic fluid specimens were obtained during amniocentesis or cesarean section. The NGF levels in amniotic fluid were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
A significantly negative correlation was found between gestational age and the NGF level in amniotic fluid (r=−0.6149, P<0.0001). The NGF level in patients with fetal VM was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (33.95±29.24 pg/mL vs. 64.73±16.21 pg/mL, P=0.024).
Conclusion:
NGF levels in amniotic fluid may be a sensitive marker for fetal VM.
