Assessment of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Patients

Abstract EN

Objective.

The objective of the study was to assess the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in peripheral blood of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and find association between serum VEGF levels and PIH.

Methods.

Thirty-five PIH subjects, 35 normal pregnant females, and 20 normal healthy females were included in the study.

Detailed history, clinical examination, and relevant biochemical parameters were assessed; serum VEGF levels were estimated using Double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results.

The study groups were found to be age matched ( p = 0.38 ).

VEGF level in the pregnancy-induced hypertensive group (median = 109.19 ( 3.38 ± 619 )) was significantly higher than the normal pregnant (median = 20.82 (1.7–619)) and control (median = 4.92 (1.13–13.07)) group and the difference between these three groups was significant ( p < 0.0001 ).

The 3 groups are found to be significantly different in terms of RBS ( p = 0.01 ), urea ( p < 0.0001 ), creatinine ( p = 0.0005 ), AST ( p = 0.0032 ), ALT ( p = 0.0007 ), total protein ( p = 0.0004 ), albumin ( p < 0.0001 ), calcium ( p = 0.001 ), and sodium ( p = 0.02 ), while no statistically significant difference was found between total bilirubin ( p = 0.167 ), direct bilirubin ( p = 0.07 ), uric acid ( p = 0.16 ), and potassium ( p = 0.14 ).

Conclusion.

Significantly higher levels of serum VEGF were noted in PIH subjects compared to normal pregnant and control subjects.