Changes of Nerve Growth Factor in Amniotic Fluid and Correlation with Ventriculomegaly

Abstract

To detect the change of nerve growth factor (NGF) level in human amniotic fluid during gestation, and to explore the relationship between this change and fetal ventriculomegaly (VM). The studied subjects (collected from 2004 to 2007) were divided into four groups, including the second-trimester pregnancy group (n=113), third-trimester pregnancy group (n=110), fetal cerebral VM group (n=12), and healthy control group (n=12) which matched with the VM group in gestational weeks. The amniotic fluid specimens were obtained during amniocentesis or cesarean section. The NGF levels in amniotic fluid were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A significantly negative correlation was found between gestational age and the NGF level in amniotic fluid (r=−0.6149, P<0.0001). The NGF level in patients with fetal VM was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (33.95&plusmn;29.24 pg/mL vs. 64.73&plusmn;16.21 pg/mL, P=0.024). NGF levels in amniotic fluid may be a sensitive marker for fetal VM.