Maternal serum protein S forms in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2012 Feb;160(2):142-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2011.10.008. Epub 2011 Nov 21.

Abstract

Objectives: The clinical relevance of protein S deficiency in pregnant women remains controversial. Major debate exists regarding which parameter (total protein S antigen, free protein S antigen or functional protein S) should be evaluated in order to define protein S deficiency. The present study aimed to identify which of these parameters correlate with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Study design: A retrospective case-control study of women with IUGR (n=27) and healthy controls (n=123) in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Results: The maternal serum of women in the IUGR group had significantly lower levels of functional and free protein S compared with the control group: 54.07 ± 24.72% vs 65.20 ± 17.95% (p<0.005) and 42.88 ± 11.01% vs 56.64 ± 13.30% (p<0.0001), respectively. No significant correlation was found between total protein S and IUGR.

Conclusions: Levels of functional and free protein S are correlated with IUGR.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / blood*
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / diagnosis
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Proteins / blood*
  • Pregnancy Proteins / metabolism
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Protein S / analysis*
  • Protein S / metabolism
  • Protein S Deficiency / blood
  • Protein S Deficiency / diagnosis
  • Protein S Deficiency / physiopathology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Pregnancy Proteins
  • Protein S