Correlation between first trimester placental growth factor levels and skin microvascular reactivity assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging - a cross-sectional study

Objectives: To investigate the association between first-trimester placental growth factor (PlGF) levels and maternal skin microvascular reactivity, as assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) combined with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia. Additionally, to explore the correlations between maternal microvascular function and other first-trimester serum biochemical and biophysical markers. Methods: Fifty-three patients carrying a singleton gestation were enrolled during their routine first trimester scan. Skin blood flux at the dorsal hand was recorded using LSCI before, during, and after a 3-min arterial occlusion. Microvascular reactivity parameters were calculated and compared with maternal serum biochemical markers (PlGF, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A [PAPP-A], and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin [free β-hCG]), expressed as multiples of the median, and with maternal biophysical markers. Results: PlGF levels showed a moderate positive correlation with base-to-peak flux (r = 0.51, 95 % confidence interval, CI, 0.27-0.69) and a weak but statistically significant positive correlation with peak flux (r = 0.31, 95 % CI 0.04-0.59). PAPP-A levels above the median were associated with higher base-to peak flux compared to PAPP-A below the median (253.41 % versus 215.08 %, p = 0.02). A moderate positive correlation was also found between free β-hCG and peak flux (r = 0.4, 95 % CI 0.15-0.60). No correlations were found between the parameters of hyperemic response and maternal biophysical markers. Conclusions: Maternal first-trimester skin microvascular reactivity indices correlate positively with serum placental biomarker levels, particularly PlGF. This suggests that maternal peripheral microvascular function, assessed by LSCI, may reflect placental microcirculation. Further studies are warranted to determine whether this tool could serve as an early marker of placental function.