RCOG World Congress 2025

Placental Growth Factor and Diagnosis to Delivery Interval in Preterm Pre-Eclampsia

O.Allen¹, I.Awowole², T.Adedeji², K.Ajenifuja², S.Sinha¹, E.Egbase¹

¹Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK

²Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

Pre-eclampsia complicates 2-8% of pregnancies and remains a significant contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).^1,2

Due to the complexity of the disease, no effective strategy has yet been identified for its screening and prevention. Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) is a key biomarker in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and may predict adverse maternal and fetal severe outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the correlation between maternal serum PlGF concentration, the diagnosis to delivery interval, and neonatal outcomes among women with preterm pre-eclampsia in a tertiary hospital in South-West Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted between February 2022 and July 2023 at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria.

Women diagnosed with preterm pre-eclampsia between the gestational ages of 20-36+6 weeks were recruited. Serum PlGF concentrations were measured at diagnosis, and participants were followed until delivery. Key outcomes assessed included diagnosis-to-delivery interval (DDI), neonatal birth weight, and Apgar scores.

•RESULTS

•Eighty-seven women were recruited into this study, with gestational ages from 23 to 36 weeks. Seventy-three women (83.9%) had low PlGF levels (≤100pg/ml), while 14 (16.1%) had normal PlGF levels (>100pg/ml). The diagnosis to delivery interval ranged from one to 35 days. Seventy-seven women (88.5%) were delivered within 14 days, while 10 (11.5) were managed conservatively for more than 14 days before delivery.

•PlGF showed a positive linear correlation with diagnosis to delivery interval. The median diagnosis to delivery interval was shorter in the low PlGF group compared to the normal PlGF group; median five days [interquartile range, 3-8] versus 10 days [6-23], p<0.001. Babies born in the low PlGF group had lower birth weights 1935 ± 266.2g versus 2385 ± 237.6g, p=0.02. There was, however, no significant difference in Apgar scores at one or five minutes (p=0.65, p=0.10).

CONCLUSION

Serum PlGF concentration positively correlates with diagnosis-to-delivery interval and birth weights in women with preterm pre-eclampsia.

This test may be a useful adjunct in the management of these women in LMIC where resources are limited.

Women predicted to be at risk of early delivery can be prioritised to receive interventions such as transfer to specialised units with the aim to improve pregnancy outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Serum PlGF concentration positively correlates with diagnosis-to-delivery interval and birth weights in women with preterm pre-eclampsia.

This test may be a useful adjunct in the management of these women in LMIC where resources are limited.

Women predicted to be at risk of early delivery can be prioritised to receive interventions such as transfer to specialised units with the aim to improve pregnancy outcomes.

REFERENCES

1. Wu P, Van den Berg C, Alfirevic Z, O’Brien S, Röthlisberger M, Baker PN, et al. Early pregnancy biomarkers in pre-eclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015 Sep 23;16(9):23035-56.

2. Gemechu KS, Assefa N, Mengistie B. Prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Womens Health. 2020;16(1):1-25.

RCOG World Congress 2025

Placental Growth Factor and Diagnosis to Delivery Interval in Preterm Pre-Eclampsia

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