Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Mouse In Vivo Placental Targeted CRISPR Manipulation
Published on: April 14, 2023
IGFBP-1 levels in cervicovaginal secretions before and after amniocentesis
R Devlieger1, J Verhaeghe, W Coopmans
1Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Insights
Elevated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) after amniocentesis indicates higher risk of complications. Increased IGFBP-1 levels correlate with fluid leakage, abdominal pain, and preterm delivery risk.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mid-trimester amniocentesis is a common prenatal diagnostic procedure.
- Evaluating biochemical markers can help predict complications associated with amniocentesis.
- Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is a potential marker for complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure IGFBP-1 levels in cervicovaginal secretions before and after amniocentesis.
- To assess the relationship between post-procedure IGFBP-1 levels and clinical outcomes.
- To identify IGFBP-1 as a predictor of amniocentesis-related complications.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to measure IGFBP-1 concentrations in cervicovaginal samples from 100 women undergoing amniocentesis.
- Samples were collected pre-procedure and post-procedure.
- Clinical outcomes, including fluid leakage, bleeding, abdominal pain, and delivery timing, were assessed via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- A significant increase (100-fold) in IGFBP-1 levels post-amniocentesis was observed in 6 cases.
- These 6 cases showed a significantly higher incidence of vaginal fluid loss (67% vs. 3.2%) and abdominal pain (50% vs. 14%) compared to those without an IGFBP-1 surge.
- A trend towards increased preterm delivery (33% vs. 7%) was noted in the elevated IGFBP-1 group.
Conclusions:
- Elevated post-procedure IGFBP-1 levels following mid-trimester amniocentesis are associated with procedure-related complications.
- Increased IGFBP-1 is a potential indicator of amniotic fluid leakage and abdominal pain after amniocentesis.
- Further research may explore IGFBP-1's role in predicting preterm delivery risk post-amniocentesis.
Background:
To evaluate the levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in cervicovaginal secretions before and after midtrimester amniocentesis and relate to clinical outcome.
Methods:
100 consecutive amniocentesis procedures were studied. We measured the IGFBP-1 concentration by radioimmunoassay in a cervicovaginal specimen before and after mid-trimester amniocentesis. The post-amniocentesis occurrence of vaginal loss of fluid or blood and abdominal pain was assessed by questionnaire.
Results:
In 6 cases there was a 100-fold increase in IGFBP-1 levels after amniocentesis. Loss of fluid per vaginam occurred in 4 (67%) of these pregnancies, compared to 3.2% of pregnancies without significant surge (p < 0.0001). In addition, post-procedural abdominal pain was more common among women with increased IGFBP-1 levels after amniocentesis (50 vs. 14%, p = 0.05). Two (33%) of the 6 patients with increased IGFBP-1 after amniocentesis delivered prior to 37 weeks as a result of spontaneous preterm labor and/or preterm ruptured membranes, compared to 7 (7%) in the group without surge in IGFBP-1 (p = 0.09).
Conclusion:
Increased post-procedure IGFBP-1 levels are after mid-trimester amniocenteses are related to procedure-related complications like abdominal pain and subsequent amniotic fluid leakage.
