Serum Levels of Complement Factors C1q, Bb, and H in Normal Pregnancy and Severe Pre-Eclampsia

BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the diagnostic role of serum levels of complement C1q, Bb, and H in nonpregnant women, women with normal pregnancy, and women with severe pre-eclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS Healthy nonpregnant women (n=30), women with early, middle, and late normal pregnancy (n=30, respectively), and women with severe pre-eclampsia (n=73) were studied. The pre-eclampsia study group included early-onset cases (n=43) and late-onset cases (n=30). Serum levels of Bb were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and C1q and H were tested by a turbidimetric immunoassay method. RESULTS In the pre-eclampsia study group, compared with women with normal pregnancy, serum levels of C1q remained stable throughout pregnancy, and Bb levels declined from mid-pregnancy (p=0.250). Serum levels of factor H increased in the middle and late stages of pregnancy, and C1q and H were lower in early-onset severe pre-eclampsia (p