Placental origins of angiogenic dysfunction in mirror syndrome.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUNDL: Mirror syndrome is characterized by preeclampsia-like syndrome in pregnancies complicated by fetal hydrops. We describe a case of mirror syndrome associated with angiogenic dysfunction in maternal plasma and the placenta.

CASE: A pregnant patient with known fetal hydrops presented at 22 weeks gestation with features of severe preeclampsia. Measurements of plasma anti- and proangiogenic factors were consistent with a profound antiangiogenic state. Immunohistochemistry of the placenta for antiangiogenic proteins showed a pattern similar to that seen in patients with severe preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION

Angiogenic imbalance may also be responsible for the preeclampsia-like condition seen in mirror syndrome.