The combination of histidine-rich glycoprotein and uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in the prediction of pre-eclampsia

Abstract

ObjectivePre-eclampsia is accompanied by both maternal and neonatal complications. Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is a protein interacting with angiogenesis, coagulation, and inflammatory reactions, which are involved in the development of pre-eclampsia. We assessed the value of combining early second trimester maternal serum HRG and uterine artery Doppler in predicting pre-eclampsia. Patients and methods A total of 140 pregnant women were divided into two groups: group A (n = 70), a high-risk group, and group B (n = 70), a control group. They were subjected to measurement of maternal serum HRG at 16-18 weeks of gestation and uterine artery Doppler assessment at 20-22 weeks of gestation. All pregnancies were followed up until delivery for development of pre-eclampsia. ResultsThe cases that developed pre-eclampsia had lower serum levels of HRG and higher pulsatility index. Our cutoff value for serum HRG to predict pre-eclampsia was less than 40.6 mg/ml and the cutoff value for mean pulsatility index was less than 1.24. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and total accuracy of uterine artery Doppler combined with serum HRG for pre-eclampsia prediction were 71.4, 97.1, 96.1, 77.3, and 84.3%, respectively. Conclusion This combination test may be a useful early second trimester screening test for the prediction of pre-eclampsia.