The association of second trimester biomarkers in amniotic fluid and fetal outcome

Figures & data

Figure 1. Flow chart.

Table 1. Baseline levels of the three measured markers of hypoxia (AFL, PLGF, and VEGF) at the time of amniocentesis (n = 109).

	At amniocentesis (n = 109)	The group of excluded pregnancies (n = 2)^a	p Value*
AFL levels at amniocentesis	6.90 mmol/l (4.1–11.1 mmol/l)	9.40 mmol/l (6.2–10.1)	.03*
PLGF levels at amniocentesis	0.208 (0.131–0.299)	0.187 (0.185–0.196)	.49
VEGF levels at amniocentesis	0.088 (0.062–0.127)	0.098 (0.09–0.104)	.09

* p Values <.05 were considered as statistically significant.

^a Two terminated pregnancies due to abnormal karyotype.

Table 2. Maternal and fetal background data, among women with a normal or adverse neonatal pregnancy outcome.

Maternal	Normal pregnancy (n = 95)	Adverse neonatal pregnancy outcome (n = 14)	p Value
Age (years)	37 (26–44)	37 (27–43)	.60
BMI	23 (18–41)	24 (20–39)	.50
Smokers (%)	6 (6.5)	2 (14.3)	.28
Previous cesarean section (%)	17 (18.3)	1 (7.1)	.27
In vitro fertilization (%)	0	2 (14.3)	.002^a^,**
Onset of labor
• Spontaneous (%)	61 (65.6)	8 (57.1)	.003**
• Induced (%)	16 (17.2)	3 (21.4)
• Planned cesarean (%)	16 (17.2)	1 (7.14)
Mode of delivery
• Spontaneous vaginal (%)	68 (73.1)	8 (57.1)	.005^a^,**
• Vacuum	2 (2.2)	1 (7.1)
• Cesarean	23 (24.2)	3 (21.4)
Fetal
Gestational age delivery (days)	279 (246–296)	280 (268–288)	.7
Premature birth (%)	6 (6.3)	0	.4
Postdate birth (%)	16 (17.2)	1 (7.1)	.3
Gender of fetus, male (%)	45 (48.4)	12 (85.7)	.004^a^,**
APGAR score ≤7, 5-minute (%)	2 (2.2)	1 (7.1)	.4
Neonatal ICU-care (%)	2 (2.2)	2 (14.3)	.09

Data are presented as numbers (%) or median (range). n = 109.

^a Miscarriage (n = 2), Intrauterine Fetal Growth Restriction (n = 4), Less fetal movements (n = 9).

** p Values < .05 were considered as statistically significant.

Table 3. AFL, PLGF, and VEGF values in the different groups of adverse neonatal pregnancy outcome^a (n = 106).

	Normal pregnancy (n = 95) versus not normal pregnancy^a (n = 14)	p Value*	Not miscarriages (n = 107) versus miscarriages (n = 2)	p Value*	Normal fetal growth (n = 105) versus IUGR^a (n = 4)	p Value*	Normal fetal movements (n = 100) versus less fetal movements (n = 9)	p Value*
AFL at amniocentesis mmol/l	6.8 (4.1–9.6)	.009*	6.9 (4.1–9.9)	.02*	6.8 (4.1–9.6)	.003*	6.9 (4.1–9.6)	.6
	8.0 (5.2–11.1)		10.7 (10.2–11.2)		9.2 (8.0–9.3)		7.5 (5.2–9.1)
PLGF at amniocentesis	0.23 (0.13–0.30)	.002*	0.21 (0.13–0.30)	.7	0.22 (0.13–0.30)	.03*	0.22 (0.13–0.30)	.04*
	0.17 (0.13–0.27)		0.19 (0.19–0.20)		0.16 (0.15–0.16)		0.17 (0.13–0.27)
VEGF at amniocentesis	0.09 (0.07–0.13)	.5	0.09 (0.06–0.13)	.2	0.09 (0.06–0.13)	.5	0.09 (0.07–0.13)	.10
	0.08 (0.06–0.10)		0.10 (0.09–0.10)		0.08 (0.08–0.09)		0.08 (0.06–0.10)

* p Values < .05 were considered as statistically significant.

^a Adverse neonatal pregnancy outcome; Miscarriage, IUGR (intrauterine growth restricted fetuses), reduced fetal movements.