Prediction of pre-eclampsia combining NGAL and other biochemical markers with Doppler in the first and/or second trimester of pregnancy. A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance of maternal characteristics, Doppler and a set of biochemical markers for pre-eclampsia (PE) screening at 11+0 to 13+6 and 20+1 to 25+6 weeks' gestation.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospectively enrolled women at 11+0 to 13+6 and 20+1 to 25+6 weeks. Maternal characteristics, uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), ductus venosus pulsatility index (DV-PI) and serum biomarkers including pregnancy associated plasma protein - A (PAPP-A), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), s-Flt-1/PLGF ratio, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and MMP-9/NGAL complex were recorded.

RESULTS: Combination of NGAL and BMI in a logistic regression model detected 70% of PE in the first trimester (p=0.001). Including UtA-PI and DV-PI in the model sensitivity reached 77.8% with 96.6% specificity (p=0.004). Combination of second trimester NGAL and s-Flt-1/PLGF ratio yield specificity 100% (p=0.001). Combination of second trimester UtA-PI with first trimester NGAL, BMI and age detected 80% of PE with specificity 91.9% (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: Combination of NGAL, maternal characteristics and Doppler parameters in the first and/or second trimester can detect a consistent number of PE pregnancies. NGAL is a potent new biomarker for the prediction of preeclampsia.