Maternal insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1, IGF-2) and IGF BP-3 and the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the relationship between levels of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1, IGF-2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in antenatal maternal serum and gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia (PET).

Methods. Prospective cohort study of 1650 low-risk Caucasian women in a University teaching hospital in London. Statistical analysis was performed using commercial software (SPSS for Windows, version 6.1, SPSS, Chicago, IL), with P < 0.05 as significant. Maternal IGF 1, IGF 2 and IGF BP-3 were assessed on maternal blood at booking. Blood pressure was checked at each visit in conjunction with urine analysis. The Davey & MacGillivray 1988 classification system was used in making the diagnosis of PET.

Results. There was no significant correlation between maternal IGF-1 or IGFBP-3 levels and gestational hypertension or PET. However, a significant positive correlation does exist between maternal IGF-2 levels and PET.

Conclusions. Maternal IGF-2 has a significant positive correlation with PET.

Keywords:

• Pre-eclampsia
• insulin-like growth factor
• insulin-like growth factor binding protein
• gestational hypertension

Acknowledgements

This project would not have been possible without the participation and enthusiasm of the women who agreed to have their babies' growth assessed in the fetal and infant periods. We would like to thank them for their participation. In addition, we would like to thank Dr. Claire Collins, Biostatistician at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin for her statistical advice.