sFlt-1/PlGF and Doppler ultrasound parameters in SGA pregnancies with confirmed neonatal birth weight below 10th percentile

Abstract

We explored whether there was a relationship between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in early-late and late-onset SGA patients and whether it is associated with neonatal birth weight.

Material/methods: 110 patients who were diagnosed with a fetal weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age and who at the same time delivered neonates with a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. For each of the patients sFlt-1, PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were studied and uterine artery (UtA) and umbilical artery (UA) Doppler were performed.

Results: sFlt-1/PlGF ratios and neonatal birth weight which showed significant negative correlation across the entire population studied (R = -0.46, p < 0.001). In late-onset SGA patients this negative correlation was observed, as well (R = -0.54, p < 0.001) In the group of patients with pregnancies older than 34 weeks and an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥38, we observed a significantly lower neonatal birth weight when compared to the same gestational age group with an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio <38 (2045 g vs 2405 g, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Late-onset SGA syndromes are characterized by lower sFlt-1/PlGF ratios, which indicates a lower degree of placental function impairment. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can be a predictor of more significant growth disorders and a lower neonatal birth weight. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can be helpful in distinguishing between disordered angiogenesis-dependent and other causes of late-onset SGA cases.

Keywords: Low neonatal birth weight; UtA Doppler; sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.