Role of kidney biomarkers [Kidney injury molecule-1, Calbindin,Interleukin-18 and Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1] in HIV associated pre-eclampsia

Objective: Both HIV infection and pre-eclampsia (PE) are associated with considerable maternal mortality in South Africa. This study was designed to compare the urinary levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), calbindin, interleukin-18 (IL-18), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in HIV associated normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Methods: Following ethical approval and written consent, urine samples were collected from HIV negative (HIV –ve) normotensive pregnant (n = 19), HIV positive (HIV +ve) normotensive pregnant (n = 19), HIV –ve pre-eclamptic (n = 19) and HIV +ve pre-eclamptic (n = 19) women. The concentrations of KIM-1, calbindin, IL-18 and MCP-1 were assessed using the Bioplex technology.

Results: In contrast to IL-18 (p > 0.05) and MCP-1 (p > 0.05), the concentrations of KIM-1 (p = 0.02) and calbindin (p = 0.02) were significantly higher in PE compared to normotensive pregnancies, irrespective of HIV status. Based on HIV status, all 4 analytes were similar between HIV+ve and HIV-ve groups. Urinary KIM-1 levels in the HIV –ve pre-eclamptics were significantly higher than those in the HIV –ve women with normal pregnancies (p = 0.007). The maternal hypertension and/or HIV profile has no marked impact on the fetal weight.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate an increase in the urinary level of kidney injury molecule-1 and calbindin in PE, implicating their possible value as biomarkers of kidney injury. We observed no differences in the levels of KIM-1, IL-18, MCP-1 and calbindin based on HIV status. We propose that studies with larger sample sizes using these markers be conducted to establish their use as markers of diagnosing kidney injury in PE.     

中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白在新生儿窒息急性肾损伤的早期诊断价值

目的 通过检测新生儿窒息急性肾损伤(AKI)患者脐血、血清、尿液中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白(NGAL)水平的变化,为临床早期识别新生儿窒息AKI提供依据.方法 收集2018年1月至2019年12月我院产科出生,新生儿科收治的新生儿窒息的足月儿72例作为研究对象,分别检测脐血NGAL,出生后第1、3天血NGAL、血...     

Relationship of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and procalcitonin levels with the presence and severity of the preeclampsia

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in maternal serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations in preeclampsia.

Material and method: This case–control study consisted of 40 preeclamptic and 40 healthy singleton pregnancies matched for age and body mass index. Serum NGAL and PCT levels were compared between the groups. Diagnostic performance and clinical association of these markers were evaluated.

Results: NGAL and PCT concentrations were significantly higher in preeclamptic group (p?p?=?0.001, respectively) and their levels were correlated with the severity of the preeclampsia. There were significant positive correlation between these markers and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and spot urine protein excretion. There was negative correlation between NGAL and apgar scores and fetal birth weight. Pregnancies with higher NGAL (OR: 4.89; 95% CI: 1.81–13.21) and higher PCT (OR: 6.67; 95% CI: 2.44–18.21) concentrations had higher risk for preeclampsia.

Conclusion: NGAL and PCT may be potential biomarkers for preeclampsia. Their levels increase significantly in preeclampsia and they are related to the severity of the disease. These results are in agreement with the generalized endothelial damage and persistant inflammatory status in preeclampsia. NGAL may also be an indicator for adverse neonatal outcomes with decreased placental hypoperfusion.     

Relationship between premature brain injury and multiple biomarkers in cord blood and amniotic fluid

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between premature brain injury and multiple biomarkers in cord blood and amniotic fluid, identify potential biomarkers for early monitoring of premature brain injury.

Methods: One hundred and thirty cases of singleton premature infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks were evaluated. Based on brain imaging examination, all cases were divided into the brain injury group and the no brain injury group. Eleven biomarkers in cord blood and amniotic fluid were measured.

Results: Levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), S100B, and activin A were higher in the brain injury group than those in the no brain injury group, in addition to S100B in amniotic fluid (p?>?.05), the differences were all statistically significant (p?Conclusions: A variety of biomarkers in umbilical blood and amniotic fluid can predict preterm brain injury.     

Analysis of urine biomarkers for early determination of acute kidney injury in non-septic and non-asphyxiated critically ill preterm neonates

Objective: We designed the present study to test the hypothesis that urinary biomarkers might predict acute kidney injury (AKI) development in non-septic and non-asphyxiated critically ill preterm infants. We evaluated urine (u) sistatin–C (uCys-C), kidney injury molecule–1 (uKIM–1) and neutrophil gelatinase associate lipocaline (uNGAL) as markers of AKI.

Methods: Sixty-four preterm infants with gestational age between 28 and 32 weeks were included in this study. Biomarkers were measured on day of life (DOL) 1, 3, and 7.

Results: uNGAL levels in the AKI group were significantly higher than in no-AKI group on DOL 1, 3 and 7 (p?=?0.016, p?=?0.007 and p?=?0.0014, respectively).

Conclusions: uNGAL is sensitive, early, and noninvasive AKI biomarkers, increasing significantly in non-septic and non-asphyxiated critically ill preterm neonates.     

Ischemia-modified albumin as an oxidative stress marker in preeclampsia

Objective.?We examined serum ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in normal pregnant and preeclamptic women. The primary aim of our study was to assess IMA in women with mild and severe preeclampsia.

Methods.?Serum ischaemia-modified albumin levels were measured in 18 normotensive and 36 preeclamptic pregnant women by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. Patients were subdivided as having either mild (n?=?18) or severe preeclampsia (n?=?18). Receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the best cut-off.

Results.?IMA levels were significantly higher in the mild and severe preeclamptic groups than in the control group. IMA with a cut-off point of 0.31 identified women with preeclampsia with sensitivity 80% and specificity 77.8%.

Conclusion.?Our study demonstrates that serum levels of IMA correlate with severity of preeclampsia.     

Could first-trimester assessment of placental functions predict preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction? A prospective cohort study

Objective: To examine the role of first-trimester uterine artery Doppler, serum β-hCG and pregnancy-associated placental protein-A (PAPP-A) in prediction of preeclampsia and IUGR.

Methods: A total of 100 pregnant women in the 11–14 weeks’ gestation were examined using uterine artery Doppler, serum β-hCG and PAPP-A. All women were followed-up for development of preeclampsia or IUGR.

Results: A total of 94 women completed the study of which 7 (7.4%) developed complications. Uterine artery PI and RI were significantly higher whereas serum β-hCG and PAPP-A levels were significantly reduced in patients who developed complications when compared with those who did not. Uterine artery PI had the highest sensitivity (100%) but a low specificity (56% and 45%) in prediction of preeclampsia and IUGR, respectively. Adding PAPP-A to uterine artery PI elevated the specificity into 94.44% and 95.51%, respectively. Combined PI and β-hCG elevated the specificity into 88.89% and 89.89%, respectively.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that first-trimester uterine artery impedance, as measured by Doppler ultrasound as well as low serum biomarkers (β-hCG and PAPP-A) can be used for prediction of preeclampsia and IUGR. The most sensitive is uterine artery PI. Adding β-hCG to PI improves specificity in prediction of both preeclampsia and IUGR. Uterine artery PI plus PAPP-A is the best combination for prediction of both preeclampsia and IUGR     

Serum VEGF and PGF may be significant markers in prediction of severity of preeclampsia

Objective: The aim of this study evaluate the value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PGF) serum levels in prediction of preeclampsia, severity and onset time of the disease.

Methods: Twenty five placentas of pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia (15 severe preeclampsia, 10 mild preeclampsia) and peripheral venous blood samples were collected. The placental and serum levels of VEGF and PGF were measured.

Results: VEGF level was significantly higher in cases and the optimal cut-off point was calculated as 600.5 to differentiate the cases and the controls, with 64% sensitivity and 100% specificity. There was a significant increase in median serum level of VEGF in severe cases compared to the mild cases and the controls. The optimal cut-off point for VEGF was calculated as 673.5 to differentiate mild and severe cases, with 93.3% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Whereas, PGF was significantly lower in severe cases than that in the mild cases and controls. The optimal cut-off point for PGF was calculated as 16.1 to differentiate mild and severe cases, with 66.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusion: VEGF and PGF may be significant markers in prediction of severity of preeclampsia, and VEGF may also be valuable in prediction of preeclampsia.     

An analysis on the roles of angiogenesis-related factors including serum vitamin D,soluble endoglin (sEng), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the diagnosis and severity of late-onset preeclampsia

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of proangiogenic factors including serum vitamin D and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-angiogenic factors including soluble endoglin (sEng) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) in the diagnosis and severity of late-onset preeclampsia.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted at Yuzuncu Yil University Research and Education Hospital Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The study included a patient group of 40 women with late-onset preeclampsia who were pregnant at?≥32 weeks of gestation according to the last menstrual period (LMP) or ultrasonographic fetal biometric measurement and a control group of 40 healthy pregnant women who presented to our clinic for routine pregnancy examination and were at the same age and gestational period with those in the patient group. The two groups were compared in terms of maternal age, gravida, parity, week of gestation, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, total protein in spot urine sample, 24-h urine protein, white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hgb), platelet count, urea, creatinine, liver function tests (AST, ALT, LDH), vitamin D₃, 25(OH) vitamin D₃, 1,25(OH) vitamin D₃, sEng, sFlt1, and VEGF levels, mode of delivery, the infant APGAR score at 1 and 5?min after delivery, and infant weight at delivery.

Results: The groups were similar in terms of age, gravida, parity, week of gestation, serum vitamin D₃, 25(OH) vitamin D₃, 1,25(OH)₂ vitamin D₃ and VEGF levels, and infant weight at delivery (p?>?0.05). Systolic/diastolic blood pressure, total protein in spot urine sample, 24-h urine protein, WBC, Hgb, serum urea, creatine, AST, ALT, and LDH were significantly higher in the preeclamptic group compared to the healthy group (p?p?3, 25(OH) vitamin D₃, and 1,25(OH)₂ vitamin D₃ levels. The sEng level was higher in the women with severe preeclampsia compared to the women with mild preeclampsia (p?3, 25(OH) vitamin D₃, and 1,25(OH)₂ vitamin D₃ levels between the subgroups of preeclampsia (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion: Both sEng and sFlt1 levels are remarkably high in patients with late-onset preeclampsia; however, only sEng may be a useful tool in the determination of the severity of preeclampsia.     

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is associated with preeclampsia in a cohort of Turkish women

Purpose: We investigated the optimal cut-off level for urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in preeclamptic patients to confirm the diagnosis.

Methods: Urinary NGAL concentrations were measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Patients with preeclampsia had significantly higher urinary NGAL concentrations than controls (mean: 387 ng/ml vs. 188 ng/ml, respectively; P< 0.001). Using a cutoff value 252 ng/ml for urinary NGAL to confirm diagnosis of preeclampsia, sensitivity, and specificity were 92% and 91%, respectively.

Conclusion: Urinary NGAL concentrations were significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia versus normotensive controls.     

Comparison of serum and urinary nephrin levels between normal pregnancies and severe preeclampsia

Objective

To compare the levels of urinary excretion of nephrin in women experiencing either normotensive or severe preeclamptic pregnancies, and to examine the relationship between urinary nephrin levels and clinical parameters of preeclampsia.

Study design

In a case control study we collected serum and urine specimens from women with normal pregnancy (n = 30) and from women with severe preeclampsia (n = 43). Serum nephrin levels and urinary nephrin concentrations were measured in all patients.

Results

Both serum and urine concentrations of nephrin were significantly higher in the severe preeclamptic group than in the normal pregnancy group. In addition, we identified a significant relationship between urinary nephrin levels and urine protein concentrations in the severe preeclamptic group. Urine nephrin concentrations were also correlated with serum creatinine levels and with diastolic blood pressure in the severe preeclamptic group.

Conclusion

The positive correlations observed in this study suggest that urinary nephrin excretion might play an important role in the pathogenesis of proteinuria during preeclampsia and could be a good indicator of renal damage.     

Urinary NGAL and hematic ADMA levels: an early sign of cardio-renal syndrome in young adults born preterm?

Abstract

Background: Prematurity at birth is a known risk factor for the development of an early chronic renal disease. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a well established biomarker of kidney injury, while high blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are associated with the future development of adverse cardiovascular events and cardiac death.

Aims: (1) to verify the presence of statistically significant differences between urinary NGAL and hematic ADMA levels in young adults born preterm at extremely low birth weight (<1000?g; ex-ELBW) and those of a control group of healthy adults born at term (C) (2) to seek correlations between NGAL and ADMA levels, which would indicate the presence of an early cardio-renal involvement in ex-ELBW.

Methods: Twelve ex-ELBW subjects (six males and six female, mean age: 23.9?±?3.2 years) were compared with 12 C (six males and six female). Urinary NGAL and hematic ADMA levels were assessed.

Results: Urinary NGAL levels were higher in ex- ELBW subjects compared to C (p?<?0.05), as well as hematic ADMA concentrations (p?<?0.05). A statistically significant correlation was found between urinary NGAL and ADMA (r?=??0.60, p?<?0.04).

Conclusions: Our preliminary findings support the hypothesis that in ex-ELBW subjects the development of an early chronic kidney disease contributes towards inducing an increase in the atherosclerotic process and in the risk of future adverse cardiovascular events.     

Angiogenic biomarkers for prediction of early preeclampsia onset in high-risk women

Abstract

Objective: Chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes mellitus, history of prior preeclampsia and obese nulliparity are maternal conditions associated with increased preeclampsia risk. Whether altered maternal angiogenic factor levels allow for prediction of pending disease is unclear. Our objective was to evaluate angiogenic factors for early preeclampsia prediction in high-risk women.

Methods: Serial serum specimens were collected from 157 women at high preeclampsia risk and 50 low-risk controls between 23 and 36 weeks gestation in 3 windows (23–27.6, 28–31.6, and 32–35.6 weeks) in a two-center observational cohort. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1), placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble endoglin (sEng) were measured by ELISA.

Results: Multivariate parsimonious logistic regression analyses using backward elimination for prediction of early-preeclampsia (diagnosed?<?34 weeks) found the best-fitting model included the predictors (1) sFlt1 measured in the second window (28–31.6 weeks) with AUC 0.85, sensitivity 67% and specificity 96% and (2) sFlt1 measured in the first window (23–27.6 weeks) and sEng change between first and second window with AUC 0.91, sensitivity 86% and specificity 96%.

Conclusions: Two-stage sampling screening protocol utilizing sFlt1 and sEng is promising for prediction of preeclampsia diagnosed before 34 weeks. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.     

Impairment of thiol-disulfide homeostasis in preeclampsia

Aim: To investigate the effects of severity of preeclampsia on thiol-disulfide homeostasis (TDH).

Material and methods: A total of 108 participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 was composed of pregnant women with no obstetric complications, Group 2 included pregnant women with mild preeclampsia, and Group 3 consisted of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. TDH parameters were determined, and comparisons of clinical and routine laboratory test findings were made in all groups.

Results: The serum native thiol level was 347.9?±?27.4 in the control group, 237.2?±?44.2 in the mild preeclampsia group, and 227.9?±?53.1 in the severe preeclampsia group (p?<?0.001). The serum total thiol level was 376.1?±?31.9 in the control group, 261.8?±?49.4 in the mild preeclampsia group, and 248.3 ± 57.4 in the severe preeclampsia group (p?<?0.001). The disulfide level was 14.1?±?5.6 in the control group, 12.3?±?5.1 in the mild preeclampsia group, and 10.2?±?4.8 in the severe preeclampsia group (p?=?0.001). A significant correlation between impairment in degree of TDH and severity of preeclampsia was observed.

Conclusion: TDH was impaired in women with preeclampsia, and this impairment increased with disease severity. Therefore, impaired TDH may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease.     

Maternal and Umbilical sTNF-R1 in Preeclamptic Pregnancies with Intrauterine Normal and Growth Retarded Fetus

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the maternal and umbilical cord sTNF R1 serum levels in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia with normal intrauterine fetal growth and in preeclamptic pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Patients and Methods: The study was carried out on 8 patients with preeclampsia complicated by intrauterine growth retardation (group PI) and 18 preeclamptic patients with appropriate-for-gestational-age weight infants (group P). The control group consisted of 18 healthy normotensive delivering patients with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies (group C). Maternal and umbilical serum sTNF-R1 concentrations were estimated using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results and Conclusions: Pregnant women with severe preeclampsia had higher maternal and umbilical serum sTNF-R1 levels than did normotensive controls. Furthermore significantly higher umbilical levels of sTNF-R1 were observed in the group of patients with preeclampisa complicated by IUGR, compared with preeclamptic patients with appropriate-for-gestational-age weight infants. The umbilical sTNF-R1 levels in preeclamptic groups tended to be higher in comparison with the maternal levels. Our results and those of other reports seem to suggest that TNFα and sTNFR1 play a crucial role in pathogenesis and sequelae of preeclampsia with and without intrauterine growth retardation.     

Maternal levels of growth differentiation factor-15 in patients with preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

Objective: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-induced cytokine and related to the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Our purpose is to measure the maternal levels of GDF-15 in patients with early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LOPE).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted including 72 pregnant women, 23 with normal pregnancies and 49 with preeclampsia (26 with EOPE and 23 with LOPE). Maternal serum levels of GDF-15 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results: The median serum GDF-15 level was found to be the highest in the EOPE group (EOPE: 441.7 pg/ml). The median serum GDF-15 levels were higher in women with preeclampsia than in the control group (309.7 pg/ml vs. 436.6 pg/ml, p: 0.009).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest GDF-15 increased as a response to endothelial injury caused by cytokines triggered by preeclampsia.     

Prediction of perinatal outcome in preeclampsia using middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery pulsatility and resistance indices

Objective: In preeclampsia, changes in fetal hemodynamics can be detected 2–3 weeks earlier than any changes in cardiotocogram. Thus, these Doppler changes can be used to predict perinatal outcome. The present study is planned to assess the accuracy of the middle cerebral artery to umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) in predicting adverse perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Methods: Total of 115 and 108 pregnant women were included in preeclampsia and control group, respectively. Weekly Doppler study was done in both groups starting from 30 weeks till 36 weeks or delivery, whichever is later. Results: Mean gestational age at delivery was 250 ± 13 and 273 ± 8 days, respectively, in preeclampsia and control group (p < 0.01). Thirty-four babies in preeclampsia group had been admitted to nursery; out of which three died (p < 0.01). On receiver operating characteristic analysis, MCA /UmA PI ratio and MCA /UmA RI ratio had sensitivity of 9% and 9.7% and specificity of 98% and 96.6%, respectively, for predicting adverse perinatal outcome. Conclusion: Doppler indices of MCA and Um A are significantly abnormal in preeclampsia. But on diagnostic statistical analysis they have good specificity but low sensitivity for detecting adverse perinatal outcome.     

First versus second trimester mean platelet volume and uric acid for prediction of preeclampsia in women at moderate and low risk

Objective: To determine if second trimester mean platelet volume (MPV) and serum uric acid are reasonable predictors of preeclampsia (PE) or not, in patients at moderate and low risk. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 9522 women at low or moderate risk for developing PE who underwent dual measurements of MPV and serum uric acid at late first trimester (10–12 weeks) and at second trimester (18–20 weeks) and subsequently divided into two groups; PE group (n = 286) who later developed PE and non-PE group (n = 9236). Test validity of MPV and serum uric acid was the primary outcome measure. Data were collected and analyzed. Results: Second trimester MPV is a good predictor for development of PE at a cutoff value of 9.55 fL with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86, sensitivity of 95.2%, specificity of 66.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 87%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.7%, and accuracy of 86.7%. Second trimester serum uric acid is a good predictor for development of PE at a cutoff value of 7.35 mg/dL, with AUC of 0.85, sensitivity of 95.2%, specificity of 55.6%, PPV of 83.3%, NPV of 83.3%, and accuracy of 83.3%. Combination of both tests has a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 22.2%, PPV of 75%, NPV of 100%, and accuracy of 76.7%. Conclusion: Second trimester MPV and serum uric acid alone or in combination could be used as a useful biochemical markers for prediction of PE based on their validity, simplicity, and availability.     

Second trimester neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a potential prediagnostic marker of preeclampsia

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations, a product of neutrophils, were investigated in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Prospectively collected data and late second trimester (24-26 weeks) serum samples from 48 women who subsequently developed preeclampsia (PE) and 96 control women with uncomplicated pregnancies were compared. Serum NGAL values, as determined by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay, were significantly increased in the preeclamptic compared to the control women: 76.9 ng/ml (interquartile range 39.7-96.5) versus 16.0 ng/ml (interquartile range 11.2-24.4) (p<0.001), and were positively correlated to blood pressure and proteinuria, showing a high sensitivity (75%) and specificity (94.5%). The results suggest that serum NGAL might be involved in the pathophysiology of PE and could be a marker for this syndrome.     

Prediction of preeclampsia: liver function tests during the first 20 gestational weeks

Objective: To examine whether plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can predict preeclampsia in the second half of pregnancy. Methods: The study population included 150,10 registered births. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to describe the relationship between different values of AST and ALT during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy in the prediction of preeclampsia. Results: Using ROC curve analyses, elevated ALT levels were significantly associated with both mild preeclampsia (p < 0.001) and severe preeclampsia (p = 0.032). However, an ALT level of 50 IU/L had a sensitivity of only 3.3% (despite a specificity of 97%) in the prediction of severe preeclampsia. While no significant association was noted between AST levels and mild preeclampsia (p = 0.669), elevated levels of AST during this period were significantly associated with severe preeclampsia (p = 0.027). However, AST of 50I U/L had a sensitivity of only 2.0% (despite a specificity of 98%) in the prediction of severe preeclampsia. Conclusions: Higher levels of the liver enzymes AST and ALT during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy are associated with higher risk for the development of severe preeclampsia in the second half of the pregnancy. Nevertheless, there is no clinical cutoff value that can be practically used for the prediction of preeclampsia.