Abstract

Introduction:  Hypertensive disorders are one of the most common complications of pregnancy; usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation. Defective endovascular trophoblastic invasion and exaggerated oxidative stress is implicated in pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: In the present study, a total of ninety four pregnant women with gestational age≥ 32 weeks attending antenatal clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology were enrolled. Of the 94 pregnant women 30 were grouped under gestational hypertension (BP≥140/90), 30 under preeclampsia (BP≥140/90, proteinuria ≥1+) and 34 normotensive pregnant women as controls.

Results: In our study we observed serum uric acid as a better marker in predicting gestational hypertension with a cutoff of 3.2mg/dl, sensitivity of 93.33%, specificity of 94.12% and area under curve of 0.966. In preeclampsia with cutoff of 4.2mg/dl, sensitivity of 93.33%, specificity of 100% and area under curve of 0.989. The creatinine in gestational hypertension with a cutoff of 0.5mg/dl, sensitivity of 96.67%, specificity of 67.65% and area under curve of 0.870.  In preeclampsia with cutoff of 0.7mg/dl, sensitivity of 76.67%, specificity of 97.06% and area under curve of 0.955.

Conclusion: As uric acid is involved in pathogenesis of preeclampsia, measurement of uric acid helps us in diagnosing and management of preeclampsia far before the onset of symptoms. Hence an early detection might reduce maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Key Words: Serum uric acid, serum creatinine, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension.