†These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editor: Shigeki Matsubara
Background: To evaluate the feasibility of serum microelements, amino
acids and acyl carnitine levels to predict maternal
complications and adverse infant outcomes in pregnancies
complicated by preeclampsia. Methods: We launched a prospective study
including 81 pregnant patients. Serum microelements, amino acids and acyl
carnitine levels were tested using external calibration technique or
high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Concentrations
of metabolites were compared between the preeclampsia and control groups.
Logistic regression models were used to assess the relevance between the
metabolites and pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia patients without severe
features. Results: Concentrations of some microelements, amino acids and
acyl carnitines were significantly higher or lower in preeclampsia patients.
Women with severe preeclampsia had significantly lower (hexadecanoyl carnitine +
octadecenoyl carnitine)/acetyl carnitine [(C16 + C18:1)/C2] compared to mothers
without severe features. Lower (C16 + C18:1)/C2 was found in women who developed
maternal complications (p = 0.07) or experienced adverse infant outcomes
(p