Clinical use of placental hormones in pregnancy management
M. De Bonis1, F.L. Vellucci1, M. Di Tommaso2, C. Voltolini1, M. Torricelli1, and F. Petraglia1
1Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molucule and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena; 2Department of Woman and Child’s Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Across human pregnancy, placenta represents a transit of oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus and actively produces a large number of hormones that serve to regulate and balance maternal and fetal physiology. An abnormal secretion of placental hormones may be part of the pathogenesis of the main obstetric syndrome, from early to late pregnancy, in particular chromosomopathies, miscarriage, gestational trophoblastic diseases, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and pre-term delivery. The possibility to measure placental hormones represents an important tool not only for the diagnosis and management of gestational disorders, but it is also fundamental in the early identification of women at risk for these pregnancy complications. In the last decades, the use of ultrasound examination has provided additional biophysical markers, improving the early diagnosis of gestational diseases. In conclusion, while few placental hormones have sufficient sensitivity for clinical application, there are promising new biochemical and biophysical markers that, if used in combination, may provide a valid screening tool. (J. Endocrinol. Invest. 35: 776-781, 2012) ©2012, Editrice Kurtis

DOI: published: [« Back]  [Accepted manuscript]