Elevated serum βhCG and dyslipidemia in second trimester as predictors of subsequent Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.

OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that pregnant women with high serum βhCG level and serum dyslipidemia in second trimester are more prone to develop subsequent Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). MATERIALS & METHODS One hundred pregnant women with singleton pregnancy between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation attending antenatal outpatient department (OPD) of SMCH were studied. Serum βhCG was estimated by two-site chemiluminescent-immunometric method. Serum lipid profile was evaluated by enzymatic colorimetric test with Lipid Clearing Factor (LCF). RESULTS Eighteen cases developed PIH while eighty two cases remained normotensive. The serum βhCG level was significantly high (p (see symbol) 0.001) in those women developing PIH. Serum concentration of total cholesterol in women who subsequently developed PIH was significantly higher than that of normotensive group (p (see symbol) 0.05). Mean TG value in PIH group was higher than the normotensive group. Level of LDL in PIH group was also significant (p (see symbol) 0.05). CONCLUSION Present study showed that elevated serum βhCG and Dyslipidemia in second trimester can be considered as predictors of subsequent PIH / Pre-eclampsia. However, there is need of large community based prospective study to validate the result.