Placental growth factor (PlGF)

Diagnostic Use

Measurement of placental growth factor (PlGF) may enhance the diagnostic accuracy for placentally mediated foetal growth restriction.
A low PlGF 10th centile for gestational week, in cases of isolated fetal vascular malformation (FVM) and villositis of unknown origin VUE.

A low PlGF, <10th centile for gestational week, is also predictive of preterm birth.

Department

Endocrinology Lab

Delphic Registration Code

PLGF

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Please contact Endolab on receipt of sample (if within Endolab working hours) who will collect whole blood sample. If received outside of Endolab working hours, please separate and freeze sample.

Separating

Outside of working hours, please separate and freeze sample.

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

PLGF

Specimen Type

• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

No of Samples Required

1

Pre-testing Requirements

Please complete the dedicated PlGF ratio request form (see Additional Information section for form).
Testing will not take place unless a gestational age is provided. This test is not validated for pregnancies less than 20 weeks’ gestation.

Additional Specimen Information

Turnaround time: 3 hours Mon-Fri between 9am-3pm. For urgent requests between 3pm-5pm, please phone the laboratory on x80885 - otherwise testing will take place the next working day. This test is not available out-of-hours.

Once separated, serum is stable for 1 week refrigerated and up to 6 months frozen.

Aliquot Instructions

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

If analysis is to take place within 48hrs of collection, storage and transport at 2-8°C is acceptable. Serum should be frozen if there is likely to be a delay of 48hrs between collection and analysis.

West Coast: If specimen is unable to be separated, take blood on SST and send chilled to Greymouth Lab. At Greymouth lab freeze serum for transport to CHL.

Interpretation

PlGF is interpretated in the context of gestational age.

A PlGF <100 will be flagged as abnormal and recommend consultation with obstetrician.

A PlGF of ≥100 should be reviewed in the context of the gestational age-specific PlGF centiles, available in the hospital guidelines. 

Non-Funded Test Cost

$$167.00 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

2752

Resources

• SFPG/PLGF request form (41 KB)

Contact Information

Enquiry Form