Predictive value of cystatin C and beta-2 microglobulin in preeclampsia (original) (raw)
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the levels of cystatin C and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) are altered during the second trimester in the plasma of women who subsequently develop preeclampsia. Study Design: We performed a case control study to compare the levels of cystatin C and B2M in women in whom preeclampsia ultimately developed (n=30) and pregnant women who remained normotensive throughout gestation (n=60). The maternal plasma levels of cystatin C and B2M were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Blood samples were collected between 15 and 20 weeks' gestation for fetal aneuploidy screening and frozen at 20 degrees C until assay after groups had been selected. Results: The median concentrations of cystatin C and B2M were significantly higher in those who subsequently developed preeclampsia when compared to normal pregnancy (median 668.6 ng/ml, 418.3 µg/ml vs 413.7 ng/ml and 321.2 µg/ml, respectively). Conclusions: In this study, the maternal plasma levels of cystatin C and B2M were significantly elevated in pregnant women who subsequently developed preeclampsia as compared with normotensive women. Alterations of these proteins antedate clinical symptoms and, thus, they may be useful for early identification of patients at risk of developing preeclampsia.
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