Circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin and placental growth factor during pregnancy in normotensive women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Based on the increased pre-eclampsia and HIV antenatal incidence in South Africa, we determined the angiogenic profiles due to its mechanistic link in preeclampsia development, throughout uncomplicated pregnancies in HIV positive and negative women. OBJECTIVE: To determine the angiogenic profiles throughout uncomplicated pregnancies in HIV positive and HIV negative women. We explored possible correlations between angiogenic serum levels and selected maternal characteristics (HIV status, gestational age, maternal factors, and pregnancy outcomes). METHOD: This study was conducted at a primary health care facility in Durban, South Africa. Forty-six pregnant women aged 18–45 years, were enrolled at 10–20, 22–30 and 32–38 weeks' gestation, respectively through convenient sampling. Serum samples were collected and quantitatively evaluated using ELISAs. Clinical and epidemiological data were analysed using STATA (version 14). A probability level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of those enrolled, 28.3% were nulliparous, 82% were HIV positive and none developed pre-eclampsia. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased slightly throughout pregnancy. Fluctuating angiogenic and anti-angiogenic levels were demonstrated during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the current angiogenic knowledge in normotensive pregnancies, and may assist as a reference range against which these factors may be compared in HIV complicated pregnancies.