Angiogenic and Antiangiogenic Factors in Preterm Neonates Born to Mothers with and without Preeclampsia.

Background: Angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors are altered in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), but the pattern of expression of these factors in their newborns remains unknown.
Objective: This study aims to measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) levels in preterm neonates born to mothers with PE.
Methods: Neonates with birth weight<2,000 g and gestational age≤34 weeks were included and divided into the following two groups: born to mothers with PE and without PE. Blood was collected from neonates within the first 72 hours of life. VEGF and sFlt-1 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.
Results: A total of 88 neonates were included (37 born to mothers with PE and 51 born to mothers without PE), with a mean gestational age of 29.12±2.96 weeks and birth weight of 1,223.80±417.48 g. In the multivariate analysis, VEGF was 80% lower and sFlt-1 was 13.48 times higher in the group with PE. sFlt-1 concentration was higher in neonates small for gestational age (SGA) than in those appropriate for gestational age.
Conclusion: Higher sFlt-1 and lower VEGF levels in the group with PE, as well as higher sFlt-1 levels in SGA neonates, reflect a predominance of antiangiogenic mechanisms in PE and growth restriction.
(Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)