Excess soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and low platelet counts in premature neonates of preeclamptic mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of neonatal platelet count and preeclampsia to levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cord blood of preterm infants.

METHODS: Sixty-nine preterm infants with a gestational age between 26 and 37 weeks at birth were enrolled. sFlt-1, PlGF, and VEGF levels in the cord blood of preterm neonates, with or without maternal preeclampsia, were measured using a standardized sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

RESULTS: Infants with maternal preeclampsia had higher cord blood sFlt-1 but lower PlGF and VEGF levels. There was a significantly positive relationship between neonatal platelet count and birth weight and a significantly negative relationship between neonatal platelet count and cord blood sFlt-1 levels. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only birth weight and cord blood sFlt-1 levels were independently related to neonatal platelet count, whereas maternal preeclampsia, gestational age (GA), and small for GA (SGA) were not related. Neonates with thrombocytopenia had higher cord blood sFlt-1 levels but lower birth weight. A significant correlation was also found between birth weight and cord blood sFlt-1 levels. Multiple regression with birth weight as the dependent variable found that only GA and cord blood sFlt-1 levels were independently related. Furthermore, infants with high cord blood sFlt-1 were more likely to have lower platelet count and maternal preeclampsia, be SGA, and have a trend toward lower birth weight.

CONCLUSION: Excess sFlt-1 may play an important role in the development of maternal preeclampsia- induced neonatal thrombocytopenia, and SGA.