Role of Inflammation Markers and Osteopontin in the Prediction of Fetal Stress

Osteopontin and Fetal Stress

Abstract

Objective: To determine the possible association between acute fetal stress during labor and maternal blood levels of osteopontin (OPN), white blood cells, sedimentation, and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Methods: The study included women with a term pregnancy (37 weeks or more) who had a cesarean section during the active phase of labor. The study included 30 term pregnancies who underwent cesarean section for fetal distress and 30 pregnant women who underwent cesarean section for other indications (prior uterine surgery, head-pelvis incompatibility, large baby, non-progressing plot) as a control group. The levels of OPN and other inflammatory markers (leukocytes, sedimentation, CRP) in the maternal venous blood of 60 pregnant women were compared, and whether there was a significant association between the groups was investigated.
Results: OPN levels in the fetal stress group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.008). There was no statistically significant difference in white blood cell, blood sedimentation, and CRP levels between the two groups (p>0.005).
Conclusion: Placental inflammation plays a role in the etiology of fetal stress, and OPN may be released because of fetal stress. The increase in OPN in maternal blood during labor may be an important marker for predicting fetal stress.