AMNIOTIC-FLUID EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR LEVELS IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL PREGNANCIES

OBJECTIVE: TO determine the concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in amniotic fluid (AF) from women during late pregnancy, with an d without pathophysiologic complications. METHODS: All AFs were collec ted by amniocentesis from the following groups: gestational age at lea st 38 weeks (n = 15); gestational age 36-37 weeks (n = 10); gestationa l age 35 weeks (n = 5); labor weeks or less, delivered within 7 days ( n = 7); term , in labor 34 weeks or less, undelivered (n = 10); chorio amnionitis (n = 7); gestational age-matched controls (n = 7); term, in labor (n = 8); term; not in labor (n = 8); intrauterine growth restri ction (IUGR) 38 weeks or more (n = 8); macrosomia at 38 weeks or more (n = 10). Epidermal growth factor was assayed using a specific radioim munoassay. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid EGF levels increase rapidly in late pregnancy but are not altered by chorioamnionitis or by term or prete rm labor. Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with lower EGF levels in AF, but macrosomia is without effect. CONCLUSIONS: Epiderma l growth factor levels in AF are increased term and decreased in pregn ancies complicated by IUGR; they may be an indicator of specific matur ational events.