Mirroring preeclampsia: the molecular basis of Ballantyne syndrome

Sebastian Rupert Hobson, Euan Morrison Wallace, Yuen Fu Chan, Andrew Grant Edwards, Mark Wui Tee Teoh, Andrea Phaik Leng Khaw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this article was to further elucidate the pathophysiology of Mirror (Ballantyne) syndrome within the context of known biomarkers for preeclampsia. Methods: This novel insight from clinical practice involved a case of post-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome-laser hydrops in an ex-donor twin, corroborated by histopathologic placental territory edema and maternal sequelae of Mirror syndrome. We serially measured the levels of activin A, follistatin, endothelin-1 (ET-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the maternal serum from disease evolution through to recovery. Results: The paired finding of hydropic ex-donor twin and placenta, supports the theory of placental injury as the source of potential molecular mediators, leading to local placental edema, associated fetal hydrops and the maternal preeclamptic picture. Notably, we elucidated a temporal spectrum of maternal serum mediators (soluble Flt-1, endothelin-1, 8-isoprostane, activin-A, ICAM-1, and vWF) involved in the pathogenesis of Mirror syndrome. Conclusion: Better understanding of the pathogenesis of Mirror syndrome has important implications for clinical management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)768-773
Number of pages6
JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
Volume33
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Ballantyne syndrome
  • hydrops
  • mirror syndrome
  • pathogenesis
  • preeclampsia

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