ANALYSIS OF SERUM VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) AND ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME (ACE) LEVELS IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH PREECLAMPSIA AND NORMOTENSION IN MADURA: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY Zakkiyatus Zainiyah, Eny Susanti, Novita Wulandari, Iswahyudi, Mohammad Amin
1Department of Midwifery, Noor Huda Mustofa University, Bangkalan 69116, East Java, Indonesia. Email: mail[at]universitasnhm.ac.id
2Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Surabaya, 60286, East Java, Indonesia
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Preeclampsia is an idiopathic multisystem condition characterized by hypertension (≥-140/90 mmHg) and proteinuria (≥-300 mg/24 hours) after 20 weeks of gestation. Several biomarkers, such as VEGF and ACE, are indicative of preeclampsia. This study aimed to analyze serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in normotensive and healthy pregnant women in Madura: a case-control study. The study design was case-control, with serum VEGF and ACE levels as the independent variables, and preeclampsia as the dependent variable. The sample size was 50 pregnant women, a control group of 25 healthy pregnant women, and 25 pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia, including those aged <20 and >35 years, a history of chronic hypertension/preeclampsia, a family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disease. Serum VEGF and ACE levels were examined at the ITD of Airlangga University, and anxiety in pregnant women was assessed using the DASS-21 questionnaire, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney statistical tests. The study^s results revealed a significant difference in serum VEGF biomarker levels between preeclamptic and normotensive women (p=0.003), and a significant difference in serum ACE levels (p=0.002). Serum VEGF and ACE levels are markers of preeclampsia, with higher levels found in women with preeclampsia compared to those with normotensive. Early detection and prenatal care are recommended for all pregnant women, starting in the first trimester, to enable early screening for preeclampsia and provide appropriate preventive care.
