Second trimester amniotic fluid endothelin-1 concentrations and subsequent development of intrauterine growth restriction

ObjectiveThe purpose of this prospective study was to record endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations in the second trimester amniotic fluid and compare these values in women who developed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) later in pregnancy with those with uneventful pregnancies.MethodAmniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 125 women in the second trimester of pregnancy. The levels of ET1 were measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay.ResultsFrom the 125 women included in the study 12 had pregnancies that later developed IUGR and 88 had uneventful pregnancies. The ET1 concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.005) in women who later developed IUGR than in normal pregnancy (106 pg/ml versus 64.7 pg/ml).ConclusionThe amniotic fluid concentration of ET1 is elevated by the second trimester in women who later develop IUGR.