TNF-alpha is increased in women with IUGR and placental insufficiency but normal in those with IUGR and normal placental perfusion. We suggest that elevations of TNF-alpha could be a specific phenomenon of certain subsets of IUGR, identifying cases with placental dysfunction.

Objective

No abstract

SHBG concentrations are lower in gestational diabetic pregnant women and are related to insulin levels but not to peripheral insulin sensitivity. Since insulinemia was similar in normal and gestational diabetic pregnant women, we speculate that gestational diabetes is characterized by a higher peripheral insulin resistance, a fasting normal insulinemia and a higher hepatic insulin sensitivity, at least in other actions than on carbohydrate metabolism. The role of sex steroids, T4 and IGF-1 in regulating SHBG appears to be limited during pregnancy.

Alpha-fetoprotein is significantly correlated with stem cell factor in early pregnancy and might play a role in fetal hematopoiesis.