The ability of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio for preeclampsia characterization

Objective. Aim of our study is to confirm the role of sFlt-1/ PlGF ratio in diagnosis and monitoring of preeclampsia (PE) and foetal growth restriction (FGR), to better manage and pre­dict maternal and foeto-neonatal adverse outcomes.
Materials and Methods. This is an observational study on 75 singleton pregnancies admitted in our Division for High-Risk Pregnancies between September 2021 and April 2023 with a diagnosis of Preeclampsia and/or FGR.
Results. Three groups were identified: early-onset PE (Group A n = 24), late-onset PE (Group B n = 7), FGR (Group C n = 44). Dif­ferent statistically significant differences were observed among groups with lower pre-pregnancy BMI in group C and higher gestational weight gain in group B. The lowest gestational age at diagnosis was in Group A but the lowest foetal weight cen­tile was of Group C. Regarding neonatal outcome, the worst outcome in terms of gestational age at delivery, neonatal weight and APGAR 5th was found in Group A that at admission pres­ents the higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio; this difference was statistically significant in comparison to Group C (246.8 ± 225 vs 89.7 ± 128, P-value = 0.0001) but not versus Group B (p = 0.472); however, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was significant higher in Group B than in Group C (181.8 ± 116 vs 89.7 ± 128, P-value = 0.008).
Conclusions. Our data confirm the potential use of this bio­markers in clinical practice to identify preeclampsia in women suspected clinically to have and guide clinicians in the surveil­lance and management of these clinical conditions.