Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the factors that influence soluble endothelial selectin (sE‐selectin) levels in umbilical cord serum.
Materials and Methods: sE‐selectin levels in umbilical cord serum were measured in 144 patients using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We examined the association of sE‐selectin levels with gestational age, pre‐eclampsia (PE), histological chorioamnionitis (HCAM), preterm premature rupture of membranes, magnesium sulfate use, birthweight, and placental weight.
Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between sE‐selectin levels and gestational age in the patients who had neither PE nor HCAM (r = 0.559, P < 0.0001). This statistically positive correlation persisted in patients with PE without HCAM (n = 25, r = 0.644, P < 0.001), but not in patients with HCAM without PE (n = 58, r = 0.102, P = 0.448). In matched gestational age analysis, sE‐selectin levels were increased in the presence of HCAM (P = 0.0006), but were not influenced by the presence of PE (P = 0.127), preterm premature rupture of membranes (P = 0.352) or magnesium sulfate use (P = 0.337).
Conclusion: sE‐selectin levels in umbilical cord serum were positively correlated with gestational weeks. sE‐selectin levels in umbilical cord serum were higher in mothers with HCAM but not with PE, when compared with gestational‐age‐matched controls.