[Tumor necrosis factor in pregnancies associated with pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE

To determine TNF concentrations in maternal plasma, amniotic fluid and umbilical blood of normal term pregnant women and women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

METHODS

Sixteen normal term-pregnant women as control and fourty-six women with PIH were enrolled for study. Maternal plasma including antepartum and 72 hours after labor, amniotic fluid and umbilical blood TNF concentrations were measured with a sensitive radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Similar levels of TNF were found in the amniotic fluid and umbilical blood between the two groups. Before labor, maternal plasma TNF level in PIH was generally higher than that in the control, especially a higher level in the moderate and severe PIH (P < 0.05). However, the mean levels of plasma TNF were not significantly different between the two groups after labor. TNF levels in amniotic fluid were significantly lower than those in maternal plasma and umbilical blood. Amniotic fluid and umbilical blood TNF levels in PIH with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were significantly higher than those in PIH without IUGR (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated an increase of TNF level in maternal plasma with PIH. The results may show an abnormal maternal immune reaction to the fetus. An abnormal higher TNF level may have an effect on the pathogenesis of PIH.