Abstract Background: The problem of pre-eclampsia (PE), a life-threatening pregnancy condition, remains poorly understood. Placental growth and fetal development are affected by the presence of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Objectives: This case–control study aimed to determine the correlation between maternal IGF-1 levels, PE disease severity, and fetal health outcomes. Materials and Methods: This case–control study was conducted over 11 months at the Department of Obstetrics, Babylon Hospital for Maternity and Children. We included 120 pregnant women in their third trimester (28–39 weeks), categorized into three groups: control, moderate PE, and severe PE. Data on maternal age, parity, and obstetric history were collected. Blood pressure was measured using a sphygmomanometer, and urine samples were tested for proteinuria. Serum IGF-1 levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Doppler ultrasound measures were also utilized to evaluate flow velocity waveforms in the umbilical artery. Results: Maternal IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in women with severe PE compared to those with moderate PE and the control group ( P < 0.001). The study found that 75% of neonates from mothers with severe PE were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, while only 30% from the moderate group required admission. Neonatal birth weights were significantly lower in both PE groups than in controls ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study suggests a strong relationship between the severity of PE syndrome and maternal IGF-1 levels. Lower IGF-1 levels may be linked to PE development and adverse fetal outcomes. These findings highlight the potential of IGF-1 as a biomarker for PE severity and as a target for future research aimed at improving pregnancy outcomes.
Al-Kaabi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.