Changes in serum fibronectin levels at delivery in pregnant women and their fetuses with idiopathic fetal growth retardation.

We determined maternal and neonatal umbilical artery serum concentrations of fibronectin (Fn) in 15 pregnant women with idiopathic IUGR (Intrauterine growth retardation) and 17 normal pregnant women at the time of delivery, by use of a rate nephelometric procedure. The results showed that the maternal serum levels of Fn in pregnant women with idiopathic IUGR were significantly higher than those in normal pregnant women at the time of delivery (P < 0.01), but umbilical artery serum concentrations in the two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05), suggesting that the significant increase in maternal serum levels of Fn appeared to be related to uteroplacental vascular endothelial cell lesion, formation of microthrombi and deficiency of placental perfusion.