Umbilical Vein Serum Nitric Oxide Concentration and Fetal Growth Restriction in Preeclampsia.

Cha, Moon Seok

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1999;42(9):1909-1913.
Published online January 1, 2001.

Umbilical Vein Serum Nitric Oxide Concentration and Fetal Growth Restriction in Preeclampsia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of nitric oxide(NO) in fetal growth. METHOD: We measured umbilical vein serum NO in preeclampsia by Stuehr method and evaluated the association with the fetal birth weight and compared with normal pregnancy and twin pregnancy. RESULTS: 1. The umbilical vein serum nitrite concentration in preeclampsia was higher than that of the normal pregnancy (p<0.005). 2. Umbilical vein serum nitrite concentration of FGR(fetal growth restriction) baby group was higher than that of the non-FGR group in preeclampsia (p<0.005). 3 Umbilical vein serum nitrite concentration of larger baby group was higher than that of the smaller baby group in twin pregnancy but statistically not significant (p>0.005). 4. There were no significant differences of umbilical vein serum nitrite concentration between twin pregnancy and normal single pregnancy group (p>0.005). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the increased nitric oxide production in the umbilical vein may be a compensatory response to improve blood flow and fetal growth in preeclampsia.

Key Words: Nitric oxide, Umbilical vein, Preeclampsia, Fetal growth restriction, NO(nitric oxide)