The influence of clinical and anthropometric parameters on the serum levels of the endothelin-1 in pregnant women and their newborns

Coll Antropol. 2012 Jun;36(2):395-400.

Abstract

Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is major contributor to maternal death in developing countries. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent vasoconstriction agent known and its serum levels are increased in PIH. Therefore it is important to elucidate maternal and neonatal factors which influence endothelin-1 serum levels. 100 pathological pregnancies and 88 controls were analyzed for blood endothelin-1 and their anthropometric and clinical data were collected. In maternal blood ET-1 levels were strongly predicted by diagnosis, therapy and BMI, while umbilical cord ET-1 levels were strongly predicted by gestational age, therapy and delivery termination. Positive correlation between BMI and ET-1 levels suggest that obese pregnant women have increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Inverse relationship between Apgar and umbilical ET-1 indicates that ET-1 could be considered as a prognostic marker in cases of neonatal asphyxia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthropometry*
  • Apgar Score
  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / blood*
  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / epidemiology*
  • Endothelin-1 / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / blood*
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / epidemiology*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Endothelin-1