Hong J, Crawford K, Cavanagh E, da Silva Costa F, Kumar S. Prediction of preterm birth in growth-restricted and appropriate-for-gestational-age infants using maternal PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio-A prospective study.
BJOG 2024;
131:1089-1101. [PMID:
38196326 DOI:
10.1111/1471-0528.17752]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the utility of placental growth factor (PlGF) levels and the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor (sFlt-1/PlGF) ratio to predict preterm birth (PTB) for infants with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and those appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
DESIGN
Prospective, observational cohort study.
SETTING
Tertiary maternity hospital in Australia.
POPULATION
There were 320 singleton pregnancies: 141 (44.1%) AGA, 83 (25.9%) early FGR (<32+0 weeks) and 109 (30.0%) late FGR (≥32+0 weeks).
METHODS
Maternal serum PlGF and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were measured at 4-weekly intervals from recruitment to delivery. Low maternal PlGF levels and elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were defined as <100 ng/L and >5.78 if <28 weeks and >38 if ≥28 weeks respectively. Cox proportional hazards models were used. The analysis period was defined as the time from the first measurement of PlGF and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio to the time of birth or censoring.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary study outcome was overall PTB. The relative risks (RR) of birth within 1, 2 and 3 weeks and for medically indicated and spontaneous PTB were also ascertained.
RESULTS
The early FGR cohort had lower median PlGF levels (54 versus 229 ng/L, p < 0.001) and higher median sFlt-1 levels (2774 ng/L versus 2096 ng/L, p < 0.001) and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio higher (35 versus 10, p < 0.001). Both PlGF <100 ng/L and elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were strongly predictive for PTB as well as PTB within 1, 2 and 3 weeks of diagnosis. For both FGR and AGA groups, PlGF <100 ng/L or raised sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were strongly associated with increased risk for medically indicated PTB. The highest RR was seen in the FGR cohort when PlGF was <100 ng/L (RR 35.20, 95% CI 11.48-175.46).
CONCLUSIONS
Low maternal PlGF levels and elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio are potentially useful to predict PTB in both FGR and AGA pregnancies.
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