Serial plasma fibronectin levels in pre-eclamptic and normotensive women

Objective: Endothelial cell damage has been put forward as an underlying factor for development of pre-eclampsia. This study was carried out to see if fibronectin, which is a marker of endothelial damage, could be used as a marker of pre-eclampsia. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted on 100 normotensive primigravidae registered before 20 weeks of gestation. These subjects were followed until delivery and three blood samples were collected, first at registration, i.e. before 20 weeks, second around 28 weeks and third at 36 weeks or later till delivery. Fibronectin levels were assayed by ELISA and women observed for any signs of pre-eclampsia. Results: Fourteen subjects developed pre-eclampsia. Fibronectin levels were observed to rise as pregnancy advanced but the rise was significantly higher in subjects who developed pre-eclampsia. The fibronectin levels were also significantly higher in these 14 subjects even in the first sample, i.e. before 20 weeks of gestation when compared with normotensive subjects (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Fibronectin levels could be used as an early valuable biomarker for the development of pre-eclampsia. (C) 1999 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.