Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  1999 Sep;42(9):1909-1913.

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

• Cha MS

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.

Keyword

Nitric oxide; Umbilical vein; Preeclampsia; Fetal growth restriction; NO(nitric oxide)

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Fetal Development*
Nitric Oxide*
Pre-Eclampsia*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Twin
Umbilical Veins*
Nitric Oxide