The aim of this paper was to study if soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), free vascular endothelial growth factor (f-VEGF) and the f-VEGF/sFlt-1 quotient in singleton pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are different from controls. This was a case-control study between 18 pregnancies with IUGR and 24 controls. Angiogenic growth factors were measured in maternal serum during pregnancy and in umbilical artery and vein at birth. Results showed that maternal plasma f-VEGF and s-Flt-1 were significantly higher in IUGR compared with controls (p = 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). f-VEGF/sFlt-1 quotient was significantly lower in the IUGR group compared with controls. When we analysed umbilical cord angiogenic factors, we found no significant differences in the artery or vein angiogenic growth factors between the IUGR group and controls. It was concluded that mothers of IUGR fetuses have a more anti-angiogenic environment compared to those of controls.

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Aim: evaluating obstetric complications and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with morbid obesity (BMI ≥40.0 kg/m²) compared to pregnant women with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²). Methods:It is a retrospective case-control study undertaken by the Results: 50 patients were enrolled in each study group. Morbidly obese pregnant patients had a higher rate of nulliparity (P=0.03), chronic hypertension (P=0.008), preeclampsia (P=0.03), gestational diabetes (P=0.013) and delivery by caesarean section (P=0.04) compared to control patients with normal weight. Conclusion:Closer monitoring of morbidly obese pregnant women is recommended to prevent, reduce and properly handle the complications that may arise during pregnancy, both for the mother and the fetus.