Elevated amniotic fluid angiogenin levels are associated with fetoplacental ischemia in pregnancies with high midtrimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein

ABSTRACT

In this study, angiogenin [a potent inducer of neovascularization] was tested in mid trimester amniotic fluid of patients with elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein values to determine whether alpha- fetoprotein elevation is due to ischemia with subsequent stimulation of angiogenesis. Nine patients with elevated maternal serum alpha- fetoprotein levels at triple screen were matched with two controls regarding the year of amniocentesis and maternal age, race and parity. It was concluded that mid trimester amniotic fluid angiogenin levels were significantly elevated in patients with elevated mid trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. The elevation of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels at triple screen was due to placental ischemia