ABSTRACT
Human placental lactogen [HPL] levels in serum were measured by radial immunodiffusion plates and immunoelectrophoresis in twenty normal, nineteen toxaemic and fourteen diabetic pregnant women, followed up during the first trimester [10-12 w.], the second trimester [20-22 w.], the 28th week, the 32nd week, the 36th week and two weeks after delivery. Serum human placental lactogen concentration showed progressive increase with the advance of pregnancy in all groups. It was not detected when measured two weeks after delivery in normal, toxaemic and diabetic pregnant women. Comparing the mean serum concentration in toxaernic pregnant patients with that in the normal group, the toxaemic group had lower mean serum hpl concentration throughout the period of pregnancy. On the other hand, diabetic pregnant women showed higher serum hpl concentration than normal pregnant women throughout the period of pregnancy. There was a positive correlation between infant weight, infant length and serum hpl levels at the 28th, 32nd weeks of gestation. Our results indicate that serial determination of serum hpl may he a valuable complement to other diagnostic aids in the supervisior of pregnancies, complicated by pre-eclampsia or diabetes