Neonatal and maternal serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 in preeclamptic and normal pregnancies.

The aim of this study is to determine whether circulating levels of sICAM-1 were changed in infants of preeclamptic mothers, and factors influencing these levels. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from preeclamptic and nonpreeclamptic pregnant women (control) and their babies in the first 2 hours post partum. The enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to determine concentrations of sICAM-1. Compared with the control group, maternal and neonatal serum sICAM-1 levels were higher in the preeclamptic group. Neonatal levels were correlated with the maternal levels only, and there were no difference between premature and term babies and their mothers. In the control group, on the other hand, premature babies and their mothers had higher sICAM-1 levels than term babies and their mothers, with values close to those of premature group in the preeclamptic group. Neonatal sICAM-1 levels were correlated with gestational age, birth weight, and also with maternal levels. Linear regression analysis of these parameters, however, showed that only the gestational age was significant. The study suggests that perinatal sICAM-1 levels possibly are not independent from the maternal levels. High sICAM-1 levels in infants of preeclamptic mothers and premature babies might reflect the high maternal levels.