Comparison of serum midkine levels between pregnant women with and without pre‐eclampsia: A case–control study from a tertiary hospital

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate changes in maternal serum midkine levels in pre‐eclampsia.MethodsThis study included 40 pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia and 66 healthy pregnant women in the control group. Demographic data, laboratory results, and midkine levels were compared between the groups.ResultsThe pre‐eclampsia and control groups were similar in terms of demographics. The midkine level of pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia was significantly higher than that of the controls (0.54 ± 0.23 and 0.31 ± 0.19 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal cut‐off value of midkine was determined as 0.37 ng/mL, at which it had 75% sensitivity and 74% specificity (area under the curve: 0.815, 95% confidence interval 0.73–0.89, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe serum midkine level was significantly higher in pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia. Midkine seems to be associated with complicated inflammatory processes leading to pre‐eclampsia. Further study protocols can be planned to investigate the role of midkine in the prediction of pre‐eclampsia as a novel marker.