Fetuin A level in advanced placental calcification at term pregnancies

Abstract

Aim: Fetuin A is a multifunctional protein which is a marker of pathological calcification in several diseases. This study aimed to evaluate serum fetuin A level in term pregnancies with grade 3 placental calcification. Material and Method: Fifty-seven pregnant women who applied obstetrics outpatient clinic for routine pregnancy follow-up at term were included in this study. The study was designed prospectively. Patients with grade 3 placental calcification (n=29) were compared to patients with non-calcified placenta (n=28) in terms of serum fetuin A levels. Results: Maternal serum calcium levels of pregnant women with grade 3 calcified was significantly increased compared to pregnant women with non-calcified placenta. There was no significant difference between the fetuin A levels of study and control groups. The fetuin A level was not found to be correlated with maternal serum calcium level. Conclusion: Fetuin A has been targeted as a marker for pathological calcification. The findings of the current study may support the thought that term placental calcification may be physiological rather than a pathological process.