Effects of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction on C-type natriuretic peptide

Objective To determine changes in plasma C–type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a paracrine product of the vascular endothelium, in pregnancies with vascular disorders, and relate these to time of presentation and severity. Design Retrospective nested cases and controls. Setting Community study, Auckland New Zealand. Population Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) data and bio-bank of maternal plasma. Methods Maternal plasma amino terminal proCNP (NTproCNP) was measured by radioimmunoassay in early (14–16 weeks of gestation, and again at 19–21 weeks of gestation) and late (34–36 weeks of gestation) pregnancy in three groups of women (20 per group): pre-eclampsia (pre-eclampsia); gestational hypertension (GHT) with small for gestational age (SGA); and uncomplicate