Relationship between serum fractalkine and severe preeclampsia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia, a complication affecting 3-8% of pregnancies, is rising globally due to factors like advanced maternal age and obesity. Characterized by poor placentation and reduced placental perfusion, its pathophysiology involves hypoxic, inflammatory conditions that lead to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. Fractalkine (CX3CL1), an inflammatory chemokine, exacerbates these issues by promoting immune cell migration, impairing placental vascular function, and contributing to adverse outcomes. This study investigates serum fractalkine levels in preeclampsia to clarify its impact on fetomaternal health outcomes.METHODS: This cross-sectional study (March 2023 to March 2024) compared serum fractalkine levels in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia to those with normal pregnancies at two hospitals in Makassar. Using consecutive sampling and ELISA for fractalkine measurement, baseline data were analyzed with Chi-square, T-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests (P<0.05).RESULTS: Preeclamptic pregnancies demonstrated significantly higher serum fractalkine levels than normal pregnancies (median 522.53 vs. 387.16 ng/mL, P<0.001), with a strong association with preterm delivery and low birth weight (LBW). Infants with LBW displayed elevated maternal fractalkine levels (487.27 vs. 402.25 ng/mL, P=0.008), suggesting fractalkine’s potential as a biomarker for adverse outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum fractalkine levels may serve as a biomarker for preeclampsia, linking it to placental inflammation and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

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