Association of amniotic fluid Neurotrophins levels with intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Neurotrophins have been previously mentioned as potential factors that may alter human growth and result in fetal growth restriction (FGR). As neural growth factors, neurotrophins promote brain development and plasticity and have a significant effect on the synaptic transmission, although the actual mechanisms of their action have not been completely investigated. Several articles have been published in this field denoting the importance of neurotrophins as biomarkers of detection of fetuses with fetal growth restriction. Their findings are contradictory and the purpose of the present systematic review is to summarize existing evidence and provide recommendations for future research.