Evaluation of placental syndecan-1 expression in early pregnancy as a predictive fetal factor for pregnancy outcome.

Objective: Early expression of syndecan-1, a regulator of growth factor and chemokine function, in animal and human abortuses or placenta at delivery suggests a potential role during embryonic development. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between early placental syndecan expression and fetal outcome in ongoing pregnancies.

Methods: Prospective immunohistochemical analysis of 203 chorionic villus sampling specimens obtained during a 4-year period (2001-2004).