Maternal Serum Uric Acid Level during Pregnancy: A Biomarker for Preeclampsia

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a frequent obstetrical problem responsible for adverse effects on pregnancy outcome. Aim: To find role of serum uric as an early predictor o f preeclampsia. Methods: A case control study was conducted on 30 pre-eclampltic women and 20 age matched women with normal pregnancy. Patients were taken from Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore, from January 2015 to December 2016. Pre-eclampsia was diagnosed by pregnancy with gestational age >20 weeks, with blood pressure ≥140/ ≥90 mm Hg and 24-hour urinary protein ≥300 mg. Blood samples were collected for estimation of serum uric acid. Serum uric acid was measured by Autoanalyzer using standard kit of Merck. Results: Mean age of normal pregnancy group was 28.43±4.11 with mean gestational age was 30.90±3.9 weeks. Mean age of pre-eclampsia group was 29.07±5.54 with mean gestational age was 28.70±4.0 weeks. Level of serum uric acid was increased in pre-eclampsia group as compared to level of serum uric acid of group of normal pregnant women and it showed a highly significant difference (P<0.001). Serum uric acid as a biomarker showed 65% sensitivity and 95% specificity with 95% positive predictive value. Conclusion: It is concluded that age may be an independent risk factor for developing preeclampsia. Serum uric acid level may be a biomarker of preeclampsia and also may help to monitor the disease.