SERUM URIC ACID AS MARKER FOR DIAGNOSING PREECLAMPSIA

Hypertensive disorders are important causes of premature delivery, IUGR and intra uterine fetal death. It accounts for 15% to 20% of maternal deaths in developing as well as developed nations. An association of serum uric acid with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The main objective of the present study was measuring and evaluating serum uric acid values in normal pregnant and preeclamptic and eclamptic cases to see the trend in the rise of serum uric acid in toxemic cases. Therefore we planned this study. The present study was conducted on Control(15 Normal non pregnant healthy women) and 140 cases they were further sub divided as, 60 Normal pregnant women in differenttrimesters, 60-Preeclampticcases, 20-Eclampticcases. Then Preeclampsia was divided into3groups (Mild preeclampsia – BP at least 140/90 mmHg. Moderate preeclampsia – BP more than 140/90 but <160/110mmHg. Severe preeclampsia – BP>160/110 mmHg but without convulsions). Estimation of serum uric acid was done at Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand during June 2008 to Sept.2009. The cases were selected from outdoor, indoor and emergency of department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RIMS, Ranchi.  The serum value of uric acid was studied in 60 preeclamptic cases and 20 cases of eclampsia.. The mean ± S.D. values of serum uric acid in normal non pregnant cases was 3.68±0.66, in normal pregnant cases in 1^st trimester was 3.60±0.78, normal pregnant cases in 2^nd trimester was 3.40±0.33, normal pregnant cases in 3^rd trimester was 4.64±0.70. in preeclamptic patients, the mean was 6.70±0.78 and in eclamptic patients it was 7.52±0.95. on doing analysis of this it shows significant changing patterns in serum uric acid level between normal non-pregnant cases and normal pregnant cases in the 3^rd trimester. Also there is a good significance between normal cases in 3^rd trimester and preeclamptic cases as a whole. The above study undertaken shows a definite rise in serum uric acid level in diseased subjects as early as first and early second trimester, although difference rise in serum uric acid in mild cases when compared to normal cases was not statistically significant. But, it can be concluded that serum uric acid measurement is one of the best markers of the diagnosis as well as severity of preeclampsia and will be a useful index for the management of the same.