Vascular Endothelial Factor Gene Polymorphism in Preeclampsia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In this study, the investigators assessed one of the released protein factors during the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. They evaluated vascular endothelial growth factor gene mutation which affects the angiogenesis in case of inadequate placentation and its association with Doppler changes in the pulsatility index of the umbilical artery.

Detailed Description
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Preeclampsia is a syndrome characterized by occurrence of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia involves abnormalities in the development of placental vasculature early in pregnancy may result in relative placental under perfusion/hypoxia/ischemia, which then leads to release of factors into the maternal circulation that alter maternal endothelial function and cause hypertension and other manifestations of disease .Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate. Human VEGF gene is located on chromosome 6 and consists of 8 exons with alternate splicing, forming a family of proteins. There are several common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VEGF gene, which could alter gene expression and protein production, and alter the risk of developing diseases characterized by deranged angiogenesis including preeclampsia.

Official Title
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C/A 2578 Gene Polymorphism and Umbilical Artery Doppler in Preeclamptic Women

Conditions
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Preeclampsia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: PCR
* Device: Doppler ultrasound


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: More than 20 weeks gestation. Preeclamptic patients Exclusion Criteria: association with chronic disease (cardiac, hepatic, renal) and if the patient was known to have chronic hypertension. association with auto-immune disease.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| normotensive pregnant women more than 20 weeks gestation.<br>One hundred and forty-five pregnant women after 20 weeks with normal blood pressure were evaluated for VEGF gene mutation. | Diagnostic Test: PCR<br>* Polymerase chain reaction was used to diagnose gene polymorphism.<br>|
| Pregnant women after 20 weeks with preeclampsia.<br>One hundred and forty-five pregnant women after 20 weeks with preeclampsia were evaluated for VEGF gene mutation by using PCR and Pulsitality index of umbilical artery by doppler velocimetry. | Diagnostic Test: PCR<br>* Polymerase chain reaction was used to diagnose gene polymorphism.<br>Device: Doppler ultrasound<br>* Doppler ultrasound was used to assess the pulsatility index of the umbilical artery .<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Correlation of VEGF gene mutation and preeclampsia | Is VEGF gene polymorphism associated with preeclampsia | from 20 weeks until delivery | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| fetal and neonatal outcomes | Intrauterine growth restriction | from 20 weeks until first postpartum week. | 
| maternal outcome | Maternal admission to intensive care unit | from 20 weeks until delivery |