Abstract

Introduction
Previously pregnancy induced hypertension was called "toxaemia of pregnancy". This is devastating state of pregnancy leading to severe maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy induced hypertension is classified as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is pregnancy induced hypertension having hypertension associated with proteinuria and generalized edema without convulsion, whereas eclampsia is similar condition with convulsions. Hypertension developing after 20th week of gestation has been categorized as pregnancy induced hypertension. Pregnancy induced hypertension affects about 10 percent of total pregnancies in world. In India it affects about 8-10percent of total pregnancies. 

Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy may lead to endometrial endothelial dysfunction and systemic endothelial dysfunction. This results in series of changes leading to decrease production of vasodilators and increase production of vasoconstrictors causing vasospasm and inadequate blood supply in placenta. There is abnormal implantation .All these contribute to endothelial damage in placenta resulting in secretion of inflammatory mediators from placenta such as various cytokines. There is uric acid increase prior to development of hypertension in pregnancy induced hypertension leads to formation of super oxide radicals which in turn causes further damage of endothelial cells. Albumin extravasates into extra vascular compartment from intravascular compartment of damaged endothelium. There is vasospasm in liver leads to decreased function of liver and elevated liver enzyme. This leads to decreased synthesis of albumin. .Albumin also extravasate from renal endothelial cells leads to proteinuria. There is also hemodilution during pregnancy. All these contribute to hypoalbuminemia and development of edema and preeclampsia.

Aim & Objective

Aim of our study is to estimate serum total protein, albumin, A/G ratio and other biochemical parameters in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and compare it with normal non pregnant women of child bearing age and in pregnant women of different trimester of pregnancy to predict the development of toxaemia of pregnancy so that maternal and foetal complications can be prevented.