Abstract
Background/Objective: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition in which the fetus fails to grow as expected for gestational age, and its growth is restricted. This study aimed to investigate the role of SCUBE-1, a new ischemia marker, in the diagnosis of late-onset FGR and its contribution to its pathophysiology. Methods: The data of 33 cases with late-onset fetal growth restriction were compared with the data of 33 cases without any pregnancy complications. Only cases beyond 32nd weeks of gestation were included. Fetal sonography and maternal/fetal vascular Doppler parameters were recorded. Maternal serum SCUBE-1 and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels were measured. Results: The mean maternal was 29.82 ± 5.66 years old in the study group and 30.15 ± 4.85 years old in the control group. The gestational ages in both groups were comparable. Maternal serum IMA levels were found to be similar in the late-onset FGR and control groups. However, serum SCUBE-1 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. In cases where the SCUBE-1 level was above 1.64, the sensitivity for predicting late-onset FGR was 93.9% and the specificity was 60.6% (AUC 0.891, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.811-0.970). Conclusions: This study reported a significant increase in SCUBE-1, which may be important in determining oxidative stress in late-onset FGR cases. SCUBE-1 was an effective and highly sensitive marker that could provide results in a maternal blood sample within an average of one hour and may be useful in the biochemical diagnosis of late-onset FGR. It may also be a useful serum marker for timing and planning delivery.