Estimation of Serum Uric Acid as an Indicator of Severity of Preeclampsia and Perinatal Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Uric acid is a marker of oxidative stress tissue injury and renal dysfunction, hence a correlation hypothesized.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate severity of preeclampsia with raised serum uric acid. (2) To evaluate perinatal outcome in preeclampsia with raised serum uric ccid.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia and 50 normotensive women were included in the study and maternal serum uric acid was estimated in both the groups.

RESULTS: In the study group comprising of 50 cases of preeclampsia, there is a positive correlation ( r  = 0.695 & +0.359) between the variables in study group, and as the SBP or DBP increases, the MSUA concentration also increases. In control group, there is a negative correlation ( r  = -0.083 & -0.095). Perinatal complication was more in study group, 54 % were preterm compared to 4 % in control group also as MSUA value increased average gestational age decreased. Mean birth weight in study group was 1.8 kg study group of which 13 (26 %) babies were VLBW, 28 (56 %) were LBW, and 9 (18 %) babies had normal birth weight, in control group mean birth weight was 2.99 kg. There were 6 cases of ELBW babies in study group which were included in VLBW group for statistical calculation. The difference was found to be statistically significant ( p  < 0.05). In the study group, the MSUA concentration is found higher in LBW and VLBW babies compared to normal birth weight babies.

CONCLUSION: There is a positive correlation between SUA & severity of preeclampsia, and a significant adverse fetal outcome is observed with raised MSUA in preeclamptic patients.