Maternal Serum and Fetal Cord Blood Levels of Prealbumin in Normal and Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Pregnancies

Abstract

Objectives: (a) To assess the changes in maternal serum prealbumin levels during normal gestation, (b) to compare the paired maternal serum and fetal cord blood prealbumin levels of normal and intrauterine growth restricted pregnancies, and (c) to determine the relationship between the maternal serum and cord blood prealbumin levels and fetal birth weight. Methods: Maternal serum prealbumin levels were measured in: (a) Normal pregnant women in the first (n=25), second (n=20) and third (n=25) trimester with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses; and (b) pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at delivery (n=15). Corresponding fetal cord blood prealbumin levels from the AGA group in the third trimester (n=25) and the IUGR group (n=15) were obtained during delivery. The prealbumin concentrations were quantified by immunoturbidmetric assay. Results: There was no significant correlation between the gestational weeks and maternal serum prealbumin levels during normal gestation. However, the maternal serum prealbumin concentrations from the third trimester were significantly lower than those of 1st and 2nd trimester. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the maternal serum and cord blood prealbumin level of the control and those of IUGR group of third trimester. Moreover, there was no significant relationship between fetal and maternal level of prealbumin and fetal birthweight for both normal and IUGR pregnancies. Conclusion: Maternal serum and fetal cord blood prealbumin level was not an independent predictor of birth weight or fetal growth restriction. The failure to demonstrate a positive relationship may be due to the complex physiologic changes associated with pregnancy.