PLASMA LEVELS OF PREGNANCY‐SPECIFIC β1‐GLYCOPROTEIN IN COMPLICATED PREGNANCIES

Abstract

Maternal plasma levels of the trophoblast product, pregnancy-specific β₁-glycoprotein (PSβG), have been measured both in normal pregnancies and in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and/or fetal growth retardation. PSβG levels correlate significantly with placental and fetal weight and fall below the normal range in about 60 per cent of all patients with fetal growth retardation. PSβG measurements appear to give a considerably better indication of fetal size than measurements of either human placental lactogen (HPL) or plasma oestriol.