Glycosylated Fibronectin May be Potential Biomarker for Preeclampsia Diagnosis: Study Finds

Preeclampsia, characterized by high blood pressure and organ dysfunction during pregnancy, remains a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity. Early detection is crucial for effective management, yet current diagnostic methods rely on clinical symptoms that may appear late in the disease process. Identifying reliable biomarkers could enhance early diagnosis and improve outcomes for at-risk pregnant individuals.

Studies have indicated that maternal serum glycosylated fibronectin levels are significantly higher in individuals with preeclampsia than those without the condition. This elevation suggests GlyFn's potential as a novel biomarker for PE screening and diagnosis. Building on this evidence, Rong Zhou, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, and colleagues seek to assess GlyFn levels in maternal serum and determine their diagnostic accuracy in detecting PE.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a systematic literature search across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library until January 15, 2024. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the QUADAS-2 tool. Heterogeneity was analyzed using I² statistics. Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare maternal serum GlyFn levels between PE and controls. Sensitivity, subgroup analyses, and publication bias assessments ensured result reliability. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using pooled sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve.

Key Findings

• The meta-analysis included 11 studies assessing maternal serum GlyFn levels in preeclampsia.
• GlyFn levels were significantly higher in the PE group compared to the control group (SMD = 1.08).
• Heterogeneity was observed, potentially due to detection and study design variations.
• The pooled sensitivity and specificity of GlyFn for diagnosing PE were 0.81 and 0.80, respectively.
• The overall diagnostic accuracy, measured by the area under the curve, was 0.90.

In conclusion, the meta-analysis confirmed that maternal serum GlyFn levels are significantly elevated in preeclampsia and demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy, highlighting its potential as a reliable biomarker for early detection.

The researchers suggest, that "incorporating GlyFn into screening strategies could offer a faster, more accurate, and cost-effective approach to diagnosing PE, ultimately benefiting maternal and fetal health." However, they stress the need for further large-scale, longitudinal studies to refine diagnostic thresholds and validate clinical utility for routine practice.

Reference:

Liao, L., Liu, M., Yin, Y. et al. Glycosylated fibronectin in preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 25, 228 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07243-6