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Protein Z in patients with pregnancy complications.
- Source :
- American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology; Nov2005, Vol. 193 Issue 5, p1698-1702, 5p, 2 Charts, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the association between protein Z concentration and pregnancy complications. Study design: A prospective case-control study was conducted over a 2-year period to evaluate the prevalence of protein Z deficiency in pregnancy complications. Protein Z levels were measured at the time of diagnosis of complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and intrauterine fetal demise. Protein Z deficiency was defined as a plasma level below 1.2 mg/L. In addition to patients presenting with pregnancy complications, healthy age-matched nonpregnant and pregnant women were invited to participate. Results: A total of 145 women were included in the study: 50 nonpregnant women, 34 healthy pregnant women, 29 women with preeclampsia, 25 women presented with intrauterine growth restriction, and 7 women with intrauterine fetal demise. The median protein Z level was similar in healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women (1.63 [0.47–3.1] mg/L and 1.69 [0.7–3] mg/L, respectively). Three women with normal pregnancies had a low protein Z level (8.8%), compared with 8 patients presenting with intrauterine growth restriction (33.3%) and 8 patients with intrauterine fetal demise (50%). Compared with normal pregnancy, the frequency of decreased protein Z was significantly higher in cases of intrauterine growth restriction and in intrauterine fetal demise (relative risk [RR] 1.96, 95% CI 1.16–3.32; P = .041 and RR 3.36, 95% CI 1.65–6.8; P = .0031, respectively), but not in preeclampsia (RR 1.6, 95% CI 0.9–2.8; P = .23). Placenta histologic examination revealed vascular lesions in 50% of patients with protein Z deficiency and in 33% of patients with normal levels of protein Z (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.6–1.2). Conclusion: Protein Z deficiency is associated with late fetal demise and intrauterine growth restriction. The pathophysiologic role of protein Z deficiency, either congenital or caused by the presence of specific antibodies remains unclear and should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00029378
- Volume :
- 193
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19118372
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2005.04.006