043 - Serum Levels of Endocan and Syndecan in Infants Born to Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Publication Number: 43.6900

Arianna K. Smith, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Oak park, IL, United States; Ria Ravi, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Hoffman Estates, IL, United States; Kailey Shine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Berwyn, IL, United States; Haleigh B. Sherman, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States; Marim Zoma, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Oak Park, IL, United States; Danielle G. McGinnis, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Oak Park, IL, United States; Elaine Cheng, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States; Astrid H. Leon Silva, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States; Sanchita Sen, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States; Rachel Hansen, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Forest Park, IL, United States; Phillip J.. DeChristopher, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States; Walter Jeske, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States; Marc G. Weiss, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States; Makio Iwashima, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States; Michael Stokas, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Palos Heights, IL, United States; Jonathan Muraskas, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, maywood, IL, United States

Background: Endocan and syndecan are serum markers of endothelial inflammation.(1,2) Studies have demonstrated elevated maternal endocan and syndecan levels in disease states such as preeclampsia.(3) Other studies have found elevated syndecan levels in preterm infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis.(4) An association between elevated endocan and/or syndecan levels in infants born to mothers affected by various hypertensive disorders has yet to be investigated.

Objective: This retrospective study, using prospectively collected biomarkers, was conducted to determine whether infants born to mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have elevated levels of endocan and/or syndecan after birth compared to infants born to normotensive mothers.

Design/Methods: Endocan and syndecan levels were obtained from premature infants ( < 33 weeks gestation) admitted to the NICU between November 2014 and February 2024. Levels were drawn within the first 48 hours of life. Preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis were excluded. Maternal data extracted included demographics, BMI, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and respective treatment. Infant data included gestational age, sex, route of delivery, birthweight, head circumference, length, and 1 and 5-minute Apgar scores.

Results: 259 deliveries of preterm infants in the NICU between November 2014 and February 2024 were reviewed. 88 were born to mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and 154 to normotensive mothers. HDP includes chronic hypertension (cHTN), gestational hypertension, cHTN with superimposed preeclampsia, and preeclampsia with and without severe features. Chronic hypertension is defined as hypertension diagnosed before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation.5 Mean infant endocan levels were 274 pg/mL in hypertensive cases and 307 pg/mL in normotensive cases (p > 0.05), while mean syndecan levels were 168 ng/mL in infants born to hypertensive mothers and 193 ng/mL in infants born to normotensive mothers (p > 0.05). No differences in endocan and syndecan levels were observed between the different hypertensive groups nor between different maternal ethnicities. (p > 0.05).

Conclusion(s): In this preterm infant cohort, no significant associations were found between maternal hypertensive disorders and neonatal levels of endocan and syndecan. These findings underscore the need for further investigation of endocan and syndecan dynamics beyond 48 hours, as neonatal endothelial inflammation may evolve due to unassessed postnatal factors. The etiology of preeclampsia and its effects on infants remain elusive and continue to be investigated.