Abstract
Background and aims: N-terminal propeptide of type-III procollagen (PIIINP) is a marker of type III collagen synthesis, reflecting overall growth and tissue maturity. We aimed to prospectively investigate circulating PIIINP concentrations in intrauterine- growth-restricted (IUGR) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) mother/ infant pairs at term.
Methods: Serum concentrations of PIIINP (a circulating marker of type III collagen synthesis) were measured by RIA in 40 mothers and their 20 asymmetric IUGR (adjusted birthweight ≤ 5th customized centile) and 20 AGA singleton full-term fetuses and neonates on postnatal day 1 (N1) and 4 (N4).
Results: Fetal, N1 and N4 concentrations were significantly higher in the IUGR group (p=0.015, p=0.017 and p=0.003, respectively). In both groups, maternal PIIINP concentrations were lower than fetal, N1 and N4 ones (p< 0.001 in each case). In a combined group, maternal PIIINP concentrations positively correlated with N1 and N4 ones (r=0.321, p=0.043 and r=0.412, p=0.008, respectively). The effect of gender, delivery mode and parity on PIIINP concentrations was not significant.
Conclusions: Contrary to our expectations fetal/neonatal circulating PIIINP concentrations were increased in IUGR cases as compared to AGA controls. We speculate that this fact should be attributed to the stress-related IUGR state, responsible for induction of tissue maturation. Higher fetal/neonatal PIIINP concentrations as compared to maternal ones should be related to higher collagen turnover in the former. Lastly, positive correlations of PIIINP between mother and offspring could imply a transplacental passage of the protein.
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Briana, D., Gourgiotis, D., Boutsikou, M. et al. 384 Evidence That Intrauterine Growth Restriction May Enhance Type Iii Collagen Synthesis in Full-Term Pregnancies. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 198 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00384
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00384