Researchers reveal that a protein called DLK1 is important for the development of the fetus, and those mothers with low levels of this protein during pregnancy may signal pregnancy complications and poor fetal growth.
DLK1 is known to be increased in the blood of rodents and humans during pregnancy, but not much is known about what this protein actually does. To find out, the researchers conducted experiments in pregnant mice and humans. It was found that the DLK1 protein is derived from the embryo, which suggests that blood levels of the protein may give clues or information about the embryo's biological condition.
Further, it was found that pregnant mothers with low levels of the DLK1 protein were more likely to have infants that were small for gestational age than those with DLK1 protein levels.
"It's incredibly important to start developing tests that can give an obstetrician much more information on the pregnancy before delivery, so that they can intervene before complications come to crisis point.
Measuring DLK1 levels in the mother's blood could be a reliable and noninvasive way of predicting whether there are likely to be complications, especially those that cause reduced nutrient supply to the baby. In those instances, you really need to get the baby out quickly, so women could opt to have an early elective delivery." said, Dr. Marika Charalambous
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