Association of cord blood ischemia-modified albumin level with abnormal foetal Doppler parameters in intrauterine growth-restricted foetuses

Abstract

Objective: To investigate cord blood ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and to determine its association with abnormal fetal Doppler findings.

Methods: Umbilical cord IMA levels were assessed in 34 pregnant women with IUGR and 32 pregnancies with normal fetal development. Associations of IMA with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler findings, preeclampsia, and oligohydramnios were investigated. IMA was measured using a colorimetric test based on a decrease in cobalt binding.

Results: No significant between group differences in maternal age, body mass index, gravida, and parity were identified. The mean gestational age at delivery was earlier in the IUGR group than in the control group (35.7 ± 3.2 versus 38.4 ± 1.2, respectively). The mean cord blood IMA values for the IUGR group were significantly increased compared to those in the control group (0.565 ± 0.22 versus 0.250 ± 0.12, respectively, p = .001). There was a significant positive correlation between umbilical artery pulsatility index and IMA levels in the IUGR group. Patients with preeclampsia, oligohydramnios, and abnormal nonstress test results in the IUGR group had significantly higher IMA levels. Patients with systolic to diastolic ratios >3 and pulsatility index (PI) above the 95th percentile in the IUGR group had significantly higher cord blood IMA levels (p = .001 and p = .007, respectively).

Conclusions: Cord blood IMA values may be a useful marker for perinatal asphyxia. Abnormal Doppler findings are associated with increased IMA levels in complicated pregnancies with IUGR.

Keywords:

• Fetal Doppler
• intrauterine growth restriction
• ischemia modified albumin
• perinatal hypoxia
• pulsatility index

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.