A disturbance of prostaglandin metabolism is currently believed to be one of the major mechanisms in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Most previous studies of this theory, however, have included only women who had already developed clinically overt disease. In order to investigate whether prostaglandin abnormalities precede the onset of preeclampsia, we have designed a nested case-control study using stored urine specimens prospectively collected as early as thirteen weeks gestation from women participating in the NICHD Trial of Calcium to Prevent Preeclampsia (CPEP). In this study, we are comparing the urinary excretion of prostacyclin and thromboxane in preeclampsic women before the diagnosis of preeclampsia to that in normal pregnant women at comparable gestational ages. The laboratory analyses have been completed and data analysis demonstrated that in women who go on to develop preeclampsia, reduced prostacyclin production occurs months before any clinical sign of preeclampsia can be observed. - preeclampsia, prostaglandins - Human Subjects: Interview, Questionaires, or Surveys Only

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01HD002507-07
Application #
6290252
Study Section
Epidemiology and Biometry Training Committee (EB)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code