Elevated sFlt1 Level and Preeclampsia with Parvovirus-Induced Hydrops

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Abstract
Previous reports have described an association between hydropic placentas and the occurrence of preeclampsia.1,2 One proposed explanation is that an enlarged placenta may cause a systemic inflammatory response by shedding an increased amount of trophoblast debris into the maternal blood, although the mediators of such a response have been unclear. One potential mediator is soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1). In animal models, infusion of sFlt1 induces manifesations of preeclampsia, including hypertension and proteinuria.3 In humans, sFlt1 is dramatically up-regulated in the preeclamptic placenta, and a marked increase in the levels of circulating sFlt1 has been noted weeks before the development of clinical manifestations of preeclampsia.4,5