OBJECTIVE: Fetal growth is dependent on adequate development of the placenta. Impaired angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in early pregnancy compromises placental and embryonic development. The proteins soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1, placental growth factor (PlGF), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-2, and the B vitamin folate are determinants of placental development. This study aims to identify associations between these maternal biomarkers and early fetal size. STUDY DESIGN: From a prospective birth cohort study in The Netherlands, 1491 pregnant women were selected for this study. At a mean gestational age (GA) of 12.4 weeks (SD 0.8) maternal venous blood samples were obtained to determine the concentrations of sFlt-1, PlGF, PAI-2, and folate. Early fetal size was assessed with measurement of the crown-to-rump length (CRL) at a mean of 12.4 weeks' GA (SD 0.8). Analyses were performed using multivariable linear regression analyses with the biomarkers (continuous, quintiles) as regressors and CRL as main outcome measure. RESULTS: Linear trend analysis showed positive associations between maternal sFlt-1 (P < .001), PlGF (P = .042), PAI-2 (P < .001), and folate (P = .039) and CRL. These associations were independent of GA, maternal age, height, body mass index, ethnicity, fetal sex, parity, educational level, smoking, and folic acid supplement use (folate not adjusted). CONCLUSION: sFlt-1, PlGF, PAI-2, and folate are positively associated with first-trimester fetal size.
OBJECTIVE: Fetal growth is dependent on adequate development of the placenta. Impaired angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in early pregnancy compromises placental and embryonic development. The proteins soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1, placental growth factor (PlGF), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-2, and the B vitamin folate are determinants of placental development. This study aims to identify associations between these maternal biomarkers and early fetal size. STUDY DESIGN: From a prospective birth cohort study in The Netherlands, 1491 pregnant women were selected for this study. At a mean gestational age (GA) of 12.4 weeks (SD 0.8) maternal venous blood samples were obtained to determine the concentrations of sFlt-1, PlGF, PAI-2, and folate. Early fetal size was assessed with measurement of the crown-to-rump length (CRL) at a mean of 12.4 weeks' GA (SD 0.8). Analyses were performed using multivariable linear regression analyses with the biomarkers (continuous, quintiles) as regressors and CRL as main outcome measure. RESULTS: Linear trend analysis showed positive associations between maternal sFlt-1 (P < .001), PlGF (P = .042), PAI-2 (P < .001), and folate (P = .039) and CRL. These associations were independent of GA, maternal age, height, body mass index, ethnicity, fetal sex, parity, educational level, smoking, and folic acid supplement use (folate not adjusted). CONCLUSION: sFlt-1, PlGF, PAI-2, and folate are positively associated with first-trimester fetal size.
Authors: Claudia J Kruithof; Marjolein N Kooijman; Cornelia M van Duijn; Oscar H Franco; Johan C de Jongste; Caroline C W Klaver; Johan P Mackenbach; Henriëtte A Moll; Hein Raat; Edmond H H M Rings; Fernando Rivadeneira; Eric A P Steegers; Henning Tiemeier; Andre G Uitterlinden; Frank C Verhulst; Eppo B Wolvius; Albert Hofman; Vincent W V Jaddoe Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2014-12-21 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Zoe A Broere-Brown; Esme Baan; Sarah Schalekamp-Timmermans; Bero O Verburg; Vincent W V Jaddoe; Eric A P Steegers Journal: Biol Sex Differ Date: 2016-12-03 Impact factor: 5.027
Authors: Samantha C Lean; Rebecca L Jones; Stephen A Roberts; Alexander E P Heazell Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2021-10-20 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Tania L Gonzalez; Tianyanxin Sun; Alexander F Koeppel; Bora Lee; Erica T Wang; Charles R Farber; Stephen S Rich; Lauren W Sundheimer; Rae A Buttle; Yii-Der Ida Chen; Jerome I Rotter; Stephen D Turner; John Williams; Mark O Goodarzi; Margareta D Pisarska Journal: Biol Sex Differ Date: 2018-01-15 Impact factor: 5.027
Authors: Sandra G Heil; Emilie M Herzog; Pieter H Griffioen; Bertrand van Zelst; Sten P Willemsen; Yolanda B de Rijke; Regine P M Steegers-Theunissen; Eric A P Steegers Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-12-30 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Masoud Amiri; Sander Lamballais; Eloy Geenjaar; Laura M E Blanken; Hanan El Marroun; Henning Tiemeier; Tonya White Journal: Autism Res Date: 2020-08-23 Impact factor: 5.216
Authors: B Porter; D Maulik; S Babbar; T Schrufer-Poland; J Allsworth; S Q Ye; D P Heruth; T Lei Journal: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol Date: 2021-11 Impact factor: 7.299