P09.01: Circulating placental growth factor concentration in pregnant women with and without endometriosis

Circulating placental growth factor (PlGF) levels are increased in women with endometriosis when compared with controls, conversely decreased levels of PlFG have been reported in pregnant women developing pre-eclampsia. For this reason, endometriosis might be a protective factor for the development of early onset pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, since the increased levels of PlGF in these patients might promote placental development. The objective of this study is to assess the first trimester serum concentrations of PlGF in pregnant women with endometriosis compared to those without endometriosis. This case-control study was based on the retrospective analysis of a database collected prospectively between June 2017 and January 2019. The study included 40 pregnant women who had histological diagnosis of endometriosis (E) and 40 pregnant women without endometriosis at laparoscopy (C). Compared to C women, those with E had no statistically significant difference in maternal demographic characteristics (maternal age, BMI, parity, smoking, mode of conception). No statistically significant difference was observed in the first trimester PAPP-A levels, first trimester and mid-pregnancy mean UtA Doppler PI, neonatal birth weight centile, small for gestational age fetuses and early onset preeclampsia (< 37 weeks of gestation) prevalence. However, women with E had statistically significant higher first-trimester concentration of PlGF compared to those without endometriosis (C), (group E: PlGF MoM 1.40; group C: PlGF MoM 1.19; p < 0.05). First trimester serum concentrations of PlGF are significantly higher in pregnant women with endometriosis compared to those without the disease. The small number of pregnant women with endometriosis did not allow performing a further subanalysis according to the different forms of endometriosis (peritoneal endometriosis, deep endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis). Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.