Vascular growth factors as diagnostic markers of preeclampsia severity and duration of pregnancy prolongation in women giving birth for the first time

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15574/PP.2026.1(105).5562

Keywords:

pregnant women giving birth for the first time, hypertensive disorders, preeclampsia, vascular endothelial growth factor, placental growth factor, soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin, angiogenic ratio

Abstract

Aim - to determine the role of vascular growth factors in the development and progression of preeclampsia (PE) in women giving birth for the first time, to optimize obstetric tactics in this category of pregnant women.

Materials and methods. 101 pregnancy histories from 28 to 40 weeks in women with preeclampsia giving birth for the first time were analyzed. Group I - 40 pregnant women with moderate preeclampsia, group II - 36 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia, control group (CG) - 25 pregnant women the physiological course of this pregnancy. The study of the content of sFlt-1 (soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1), PlGF proteins (placental growth factor) and soluble endoglin (Seng) was carried out by the method of immuno-enzyme analysis.

Results. In group I pregnant women, the level of sFlt-1 was 36124.6±4820.2 pg/ml, which is significantly lower than in group II pregnant women - 54826.4±442.2 pg/ml and significantly higher than in group II pregnant women - 3299.4±144.2 pg/ml, respectively. The level of sEng in groups I and II was significantly higher than in CG 69940±1234.2 pg/ml, 92580±1784.4 pg/ml versus 5440±684.6 pg/ml, respectively. The level of endoglin in group I was 69940±1234.2 pg/ml, significantly lower than that of pregnant women in group II - 92580±1784.4 pg/ml. The level of PlGF in group I was 64.8±4.6 pg/ml and group II was 48.2±4.2 pg/ml, significantly lower than that of CG - 428.8±46.2 pg/ml. In group I, the level of PlGF was 64.8±4.6 pg/ml, significantly higher than that of group II - 48.2±4.2 pg/ml. The angiogenic coefficient (sFlt-1/PlGF) from 28 to 34 weeks in group I is 557.47±42.8, which is significantly lower than group II - 1137.47±62.2 and significantly higher than СG - 7.69±2.2.

Conclusions. For pregnant women with preeclampsia who give birth for the first time, the development of an imbalance of angiogenic growth factors with a predominance of antiangiogenic and a deficiency of proangiogenic agents is characteristic. With high values of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, it is not possible to prolong pregnancy for a long time due to the progression of PE and/or deterioration of the fetal condition.

The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institution mentioned in the paper.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Published

2026-03-28