Maternal Neutrophil gelatinase assosiated lipocalin level in last trimester isolated intrauterine growth-restriction

Authors : Özgül Özgan Çelikel, Fatih Bakır, Sevgi Ayhan

Pages : 427-432

Doi:10.38136/jgon.1669808

View : 45 | Download : 78

Publication Date : 2026-01-03

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is theinability of the fetus to achieve the biologically accessible growth potential.Neutrophil gelatinase assosiated lipocalin (NGAL) is synthesised from the cell under stress. Infection, inflammation (synthesised from secondary granules of activated neutrophils), ischaemia, neoplastic transformation are conditions that increase NGAL expression. Our current study aimed to investigate the relation ship between the isolated IUGR in the third trimester and maternal serum NGAL. Materials and methods: This prospective case-control study included total 88 pregnant Women whowere between the 24th and 39th gestational weeks and who applied to the Lokman Hekim University Ankara Hospital Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department between 2020 March-2022 Octaber. The Study Group consisted of 41pregnant women who were diagnosed with Isolated IUGR with Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW) <10th percentile. The Control Group consisted of 47 low-risk uncomplicated pregnant women, matched with the Study Group in terms of gestational week, and with EFW between 10th and 90th percentiles. Demographic data, clinical findings, fetal Doppler parameters, and obstetric-neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Maternal serum NGAL levels were measured by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunosorbentAssay) method and compared between the groups. Results:Maternal serum NGAL level was found to be significantly higer in IUGR group as compared to the Control ( 7,765vs3.781 , p<.001, respectively). There was a negative correlation between maternal serum NGAL level and duration of pregnancy, the weight gain during pregnancy, birth weight, fetal abdominal circumference measurement and cerebro placental ratio(r¼0.18, p¼.03; r¼0.17, p¼.04; r¼0.37, p<.001; r¼0.35, p<.001; r¼0.27, p¼.001, respectively). Binary Logistic Regression Analysis showed that maternal serum NGAL level is an independent estimator of IUGR [OR %95 CI: 8.33 (3.22_25.01)]. AUC (Area Under theCurve) analysis of maternal NGAL for IUGR estimation was 0.75 (p<.001, 95% CI ¼ 0.67_0.82). Conclusion: High level of maternal serum NGAL in pregnancies with isolated IUGR was consistent with the role of NGAL in inlamation pathways and with the increased risk of placental vazocontrition. Maternal NGAL level can be analysed to predict isolated IUGR and precautions can be taken.
Keywords : intaruterin büyüme geriliği, NGAL, plasenta

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