Changes in placental growth factor levels in patients with different pregnancy complications
Khodzhaeva Z.S., Muminova K.T., Poluektova A.A., Avdeeva A.M., Tokareva A.O., Kukaev E.N., Baranov I.I., Starodubtseva N.L.
Objective: To study changes in placental growth factor (PlGF) levels at 11–14 weeks of gestation and before delivery (at 37–40 weeks) in relation to various pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes mellitus, fetal macrosomia, premature birth, and abnormal placentation.
Materials and methods: The study included 3,274 pregnant women who underwent first-trimester screening at V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia. Serum PlGF levels were measured at various gestational ages. The Mann–Whitney U test and χ² Pearson test were used for the analysis, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.
Results: No statistical differences were found in PlGF levels at 11-14 weeks between the groups, in contrast to the PAPP-A levels. However, there were distinct patterns of PlGF level changes associated with various pregnancy complications. Gestational diabetes was characterized by a decline in PlGF levels as pregnancy progressed, with the most pronounced reduction observed in patients receiving insulin therapy (p<0.001). In contrast, elevated PlGF levels were detected in the third trimester in cases of fetal macrosomia (p=0,004). In cases of abnormal placentation (particularly placenta previa), a significant increase in PlGF level was detected prior to delivery (p=0,01). In cases of preterm birth, the changes in PlGF levels did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion: The findings of the study highlight the potential usefulness of evaluating PAPP-A and PlGF levels across various stages of pregnancy to assist in risk stratification for complicated pregnancies. Lower PAPP-A levels during the first trimester are linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preterm birth, while PlGF levels in the third trimester area are associated with the severity of metabolic and placental complications.
Authors' contributions: Khodjaeva Z.S., Baranov I.I. – conception and design of the study, analysis of study results, drafting of the manuscript; Muminova K.T., Poluektova A.A., Avdeeva A.M. – clinical examination of pregnant women, collection of material, systematization and analysis of the obtained data, drafting of the manuscript; Tokareva A.O., Kukaev E.N., Starodubtseva N.L. – conception and design of the study, organization and conduct of laboratory studies, systematization and analysis of the obtained data, drafting of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: The study was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (No. 24-14-00140): https://rscf.ru/project/24-14-00140/
Ethical Approval: The study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia.
Patient Consent for Publication: All patients provided informed consent for the publication of their data.
Authors' Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Khodzhaeva Z.S., Muminova K.T., Poluektova A.A., Avdeeva A.M., Tokareva A.O., Kukaev E.N., Baranov I.I., Starodubtseva N.L Changes in placental growth factor levels in patients
with different pregnancy complications.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025; (5): 86-96 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.95
Keywords
placental growth factor (PlGF)
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
fetal macrosomia
preterm birth
intrauterine growth restriction
placenta accreta spectrum
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Received 07.04.2025
Accepted 05.05.2025
About the Authors
Zulfia S. Khodzhaeva, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Deputy Director for Research of the Institute of Obstetrics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centerfor Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Oparina str., 4, +7(916)407-75-67, zkhodjaeva@mail.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8159-3714
Kamilla T. Muminova, PhD, Junior Researcher at the 1st Department of Pregnancy Pathology, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Oparina str., 4, +7(916)373-77-07, kamika91@mail.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2708-4366
Alina A. Poluektova, PhD student, Specialist, Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Oparina str., 4, +7(977)636-30-90, a_poluektova@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7892-7017
Anna M. Avdeeva, Student, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Moscow Scientific and Educational Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Russia, Moscow, Leninskie Gory, 1, +7(916)900-06-50, a_avdeeva@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2225-2469
Alisa O. Tokareva, Specialist, Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Oparina str., 4, +7(965)128-68-86, a_tokareva@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5918-9045
Evgeny N. Kukaev, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Oparina str., 4; Researcher, V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems
of Chemical Physics, +7(916)883-17-85, e_kukaev@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8397-3574
Igor Ivanovich Baranov, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Scientific and Educational Programs, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Oparina str., 4; Vice-President of the Russian Society
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, i_baranov@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9813-2823
Natalia L. Starodubtseva, PhD (Bio), Head of the Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics,
Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Oparina str., 4, +7(916)463-98-67, n_starodubtseva@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6650-5915
Corresponding author: Zulfia S. Khodzhaeva, zkhodjaeva@mail.ru
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