Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), also known as macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF-ß) cytokine superfamily, which has been examined as a novel emerging biomarker in HF, cancer and atherosclerotic diseases including CVD [5–10]. The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is hydrops fetalis.