Maternal and neonatal serum expression of the vascular growth factors in hyperglycemia in pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) occurs in up to 8–17% of pregnancies. Unfavorable impact of the pregnancy induced hyperglycemia on both maternal and fetal tissues is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vascular growth factors, especially in the early phase of gestation, are considered as one of the most significant molecules that regulate pregnancy course and their serum expression may be altered in patients affected with HIP.

Material and methods

Fifty-five consecutive pregnant patients who underwent elective cesarean section were incorporated into this study. During the surgery, maternal and cord blood samples were collected. Serum expression levels of vascular growth factors: PlGF, VEGF, THBS-2 and Ang-2 were compared among non-HIP and pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes. Subsequently, laboratory results were correlated with obstetric outcomes.

Results

There were no statistical differences in maternal characteristics, neonatal outcomes and maternal or neonatal serum levels between study and control groups. However, our results revealed significant differences between fetal and maternal levels of VEGF (p = .028 and .0001), THBS-2 (p = .013 and .0014) and Ang-2 (p = .035 and .048) for HIP and non-HIP group, respectively.

Conclusions

Similar serum expressions of vascular growth factors in and non-HIP and HIP pregnancies point that normal glycemia due to thorough prenatal surveillance may result in normal angio- and vasculogenesis associated with good pregnancy outcomes.

Keywords:

• Ang-2
• fetal growth
• gdm
• macrosomia
• PlGF
• THBS-2
• vascular growth factors
• VEGF

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Medical University of Warsaw [1W51/PM1/16].