Abstract

A blood test measuring levels of a protein called placental growth factor (PlGF) can show how well a placenta is functioning during pregnancy, and can help to rule out pre-eclampsia, a blood pressure disorder in pregnancy, before signs or symptoms develop especially in early pregnancy. There are several different tests available to measure PlGF levels. The aim of this study was to highlight the importance of developing appropriate reference ranges and levels for the tests that measure PlGF levels, by comparing the results obtained from two different tests that measure PlGF levels. An analysis was performed on a group of samples collected for another study on women with non-identical twin pregnancy. These women had a blood sample taken at a single point in their pregnancy. The blood sample was stored and later analysed. The PlGF levels that were measured by the two different tests were signficantly different, with one test recording significantly more levels at a lower value than the other test. Different tests can measure the same protein at different levels. It is important for lab scientists to be aware of this so that tests can be programmed to provide the most accurate results for clinicians.