Umbilical cord activin A concentration in pregnancies complicated by mild preeclampsia and relationship between activin A levels and Doppler

Abstract

To evaluate the significance of umbilical cord activin A concentration in preeclampsia and also explore the relationship between activin A levels and Doppler findings. Methods. The study population was constituted 40 pregnancies complicated with term mild preeclampsia and control group constituted 40 pregnancies with uneventful, term gestation. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after fetus delivery. Umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery flow velocity waveform were determined just before delivery. Activin A levels were high in preeclamptic group (p<0.0001). Marked increase of umbilical artery S/D rate and pulsatility index (PI)(p<0.0001) and also decrease of middle cerebral artery PI (p<0.05) were detected in preeclamptic group. No significant changes in middle cerebral artery S/D rate were observed between two groups (p>0.05). There were no correlation between Doppler examination and activin A level. Umbilical cord activin A levels reflected directly fetoplacental unit resistance in preeclampsia. <br/><a href=