Relationship between maternal serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in early pregnancy and fetal and placental growth

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has important effects on endothel ial cells increasing cell proliferation, permeability and nitric oxide prod uction; concentrations of VEGF in the maternal serum increase during the fi rst 10 weeks of pregnancy. In this study, the relationship of maternal seru m VEGF with maternal health during pregnancy and with fetal and placental s ize at mid-pregnancy and at term was investigated, Serum was obtained from 539 Caucasian women with singleton pregnancies between 8 and 20 weeks of pr egnancy (mean 14 weeks). Total serum VEGF concentrations were measured by d irect competitive radioimmunoassay, Fetal size and placental volume were me asured by ultrasound between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. Birthweight, placen tal weight and anthropometric measurements of the baby were obtained after delivery. Serum VEGF concentrations were found to be higher in women with a lower weight before pregnancy (p = 0.01) and in those carrying a female fe tus (P = 0.002). VEGF concentrations were positively correlated with placen tal volume (r = 0.17, P = 0.0001) but not with fetal size between 16 and 20 weeks gestation, Serum VEGF concentrations were positively correlated with both birthweight (r = 0,10, P = 0.02) and placental weight at delivery (r = 0.13, P = 0.003). The data presented support the view that VEGF may be on e of the factors involved in mediating the maternal cardiovascular adaptati on to pregnancy.