[Predictive value of serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 concentration in preeclampsia at second trimester].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the predictive value of serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) levels in preeclampsia at second trimester.

METHODS: Serum sFlt-1, VEGF concentrations were determined in 172 initial normal pregnant women at 26 - 28 gestation week. The outcomes of pregnancies were followed. In a cohort of 172 pregnant women, 16 cases of preeclampsia were developed (preeclampsia group), and 156 cases were with no complication (control group).

RESULTS: The serum levels of sFlt-1 in preeclampsia group (11.4 +/- 6.2) microg/L were significantly higher than that in control group (4.5 +/- 2.1) microg/L (P < 0.01). The serum levels of sFlt-1 in precelampsia women with the onset before 32 gestation week and fetal growth retardation, (14.0 +/- 6.8) microg/L, (14.4 +/- 6.7) microg/L were significantly higher than that in women with the onset after 32 gestation week and with no fetal growth retardation (9.0 +/- 4.1) microg/L, (8.9 +/- 4.0) microg/L, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum levels of VEGF between preeclampsia group and control group. A sFlt-1 cutoff value of 8.75 microg/L at 26 - 28 gestation week yielded a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 97.4%, positive predictive value of 80.0%, negative predictive value of 88.5%, respectively, for subsequent onset of preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION: Maternal serum sFlt-1 concentration at second trimester can be used as an early predictive marker of preeclampsia.