Cord blood and maternal serum neopterin concentrations in patients with pre-eclampsia.

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a syndrome characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. The aim of this study was to investigate neopterin concentrations in cord blood and maternal serum in patients with pre-eclampsia and a control group. Methods: Cord blood and maternal serum neopterin were measured in 21 patients with pre-eclampsia and in 27 control subjects. Neopterin concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: Cord blood neopterin concentrations were significantly increased in patients with pre-eclampsia compared to controls (54.3±16.8 vs. 43.4±8.5 nmol/L, p=0.011, respectively). Maternal serum neopterin (257.3±36.8 vs. 150.9±33.8 nmol/L, p<0.001) was also higher in patients with pre-eclampsia. Conclusions: Cord blood and maternal serum neopterin concentrations are higher in patients with pre-eclampsia. Maternal serum neopterin concentrations used may be used as a marker for the early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia.