Predictive value of the sFlt‑1/PlGF ratio in women with suspected preeclampsia: An update (Review).

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major complication of pregnancy with an incidence rate of 2‑8% and is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The various consequences of severe preeclampsia for the fetus, neonate and child include intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), fetal hypoxia, oligohydramnios, intrauterine fetal demise, increased perinatal mortality and morbidity, neurodevelopmental disorders and even irreversible brain damage (cerebral palsy). A number of studies have demonstrated that differences in maternal serum concentrations of angiogenic factors between preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancies can be used as biomarkers, either alone or in combination with other markers, to predict the development of PE.

Human placental growth hormone in normal and abnormal fetal growth.

Human placental growth hormone (PGH), encoded by the growth hormone (GH) variant gene on chromosome 17, is expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous cytotrophoblast layers of the human placenta. Its maternal serum levels increase throughout pregnancy, and gradually replaces the pulsatile secreted pituitary GH. PGH is also detectable in cord blood and in the amniotic fluid.