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Published on: June 29, 2013
Early changes in S100B maternal blood levels can predict fetal intrauterine growth restriction
Laura Abella1, Ebe D'Adamo2, Mariachiara Strozzi3
1Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Early detection of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is crucial. Longitudinal S100B assessment in maternal blood shows promise as a reliable, non-invasive predictor for early IUGR diagnosis and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal medicine
- Biomarker research
- Maternal-fetal health
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity.
- Early diagnosis of IUGR is essential to prevent multiorgan failure, particularly in the brain.
- Current diagnostic methods require improvement for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of longitudinal S100B assessment in maternal blood as a predictor of IUGR.
- To evaluate S100B as a non-invasive biomarker for early IUGR detection.
- To establish the optimal time-point for S100B measurement for IUGR prediction.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 480 pregnancies (40 IUGR, 40 SGA, 400 controls).
- S100B levels measured in maternal blood at three gestational age time-points: T1 (8-18 weeks), T2 (19-23 weeks), and T3 (24-28 weeks).
- Statistical analysis including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower S100B levels were observed in fetuses with IUGR compared to SGA and control groups at all time-points (p<0.05).
- S100B measurement at T1 (8-18 weeks GA) demonstrated the highest predictive value for IUGR.
- ROC analysis indicated 100% sensitivity and 81.4% specificity for S100B at T1 in predicting IUGR.
Conclusions:
- Early detection of IUGR through non-invasive S100B measurement in maternal blood appears feasible.
- Lower S100B concentrations in early pregnancy may indicate later development of IUGR.
- These findings support further research into S100B for early diagnosis and monitoring of fetal and maternal conditions.
Objectives:
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents one of the main causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Nowadays, IUGR early diagnosis is mandatory in order to limit the occurrence of multiorgan failure, especially the brain. Therefore, we investigated whether longitudinal S100B assessment in maternal blood could be a trustable predictor of IUGR.
Methods:
We conducted a prospective study in 480 pregnancies (IUGR: n=40; small for gestational age, SGA: n=40; controls: n=400) in whom S100B was measured at three predetermined monitoring time-points (T1: 8-18 GA; T2: 19-23 GA; T3: 24-28 GA).
Results:
Lower S100B in IUGR fetuses than SGA and controls (p<0.05, for all) at T1-T3. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that S100B at T1 was the best predictor of IUGR (sensitivity: 100 %; specificity: 81.4 %) than T2, T3.
Conclusions:
The early lower S100B concentration in pregnant women lately complicated by IUGR support the notion that non-invasive early IUGR diagnosis and monitoring is becoming feasible. Results open the way to further studies aimed at diagnosing and monitoring fetal/maternal diseases at earliest time.
