A Study of Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase in Eclampsia And Serum Magnesium Levels in Patients With Eclampsia Undergoing Magnesium Sulfate Therapy

Background: Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is most often measured to evaluate tissue damage. Magnesium sulfate is used for seizure therapy and as prophylaxis for eclampsia and preeclampsia, worldwide. The objectives were: 1. To assess serum LDH levels as a biochemical marker to reflect the severity of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia 2. To study the alterations in serum magnesium levels in eclampsia patients receiving MgSO4 therapy at different intervals of time 3. To assess the safety and hypermagnesemia toxicity with MgSO4 therapy. 4.To find if therapeutic magnesium levels were attained at 30 minutes on starting MgSO4 therapy. Material and Methods: 50 normal singleton pregnant women (controls) and 103 singleton pregnant women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia who were candidates for intravenous MgSO4 infusion (cases) were studied. Serum LDH levels were measured before initiation of MgSO4 therapy, to assess severity of Pre/eclampsia. Serum magnesium concentration was determined before MgSO4 infusion (0 min) and at 30 minutes & 240 minutes after the initiation of the infusion and compared. Repeated-measure ANOVA and paired t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: Mean Serum LDH concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.0001) in pre-eclamptic patients compared to normal pregnant women. No signs and symptoms of Magnesium toxicity was noted in patients receiving MgSO4 therapy, when measured at different intervals. Conclusions: Increased serum LDH levels may be used to assess severity of Pre-eclapmsia/Eclampsia. The MgSO4 therapy was effective in the prevention of recurring eclamptic seizures and was safe for mother and fetus.