Levels of angiogenic factors in pregnancy and post-partum bleeding

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2008;87(10):1081-3. doi: 10.1080/00016340802415622.

Abstract

We have studied if serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) in pregnancy could predict excess post-partum bleeding. In 392 normotensive singleton pregnancies, concentrations of sFlt-1 and PlGF in the first, second, and third trimester were compared between women with and without excess post-partum bleeding, defined as blood loss volume of at least 500 mL. Mean concentrations of sFlt-1 were consistently higher in all three trimesters among women who had excess post-partum bleeding compared to women without this, but significantly higher only in the second trimester. For PlGF, there were no significant differences between the groups. High concentrations of the anti-angiogenic factor sFlt-1 in maternal circulation during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of excess post-partum bleeding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Placenta Growth Factor
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage / blood*
  • Pregnancy / blood*
  • Pregnancy Proteins / blood*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / blood*

Substances

  • PGF protein, human
  • Pregnancy Proteins
  • Placenta Growth Factor
  • FLT1 protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1