Serum endothelin-1 and placental alkaline phosphatase levels in placenta percreta and normal pregnancies.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the circulatory levels of endothelin 1 (ET-1) and the placental alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in pregnant women with placenta percreta (PP) and a control group.

METHODS

This study was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology and in the Biochemistry Departments of Harran University Medical School. Forty-four women who underwent cesarean section (CS) due to PP and 44 women who underwent CS for other obstetric reasons were included in this study. The PP diagnosis was made by a pathologic examination that showed an extreme trophoblastic invasion involving the uterine serosa.The levels of circulating ET-1 and placental ALP were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Women with PP more frequently received antenatal steroids and blood transfusions and they delivered at an earlier gestational age compared to controls. In women with PP, preoperative circulating ET-1 and placental ALP levels were lower than in the controls (p < .05 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that a decrease in ET-1 and placental ALP levels might play a role in the pathogenesis of PP.