Association between Uric Acid and Severity of Pre-Eclampsia

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of uric acid as a marker of severity of pre-eclampsia. Methods: Uric acid was measured in 36 pre-eclamptic pregnant women and 26 healthy pregnant women in the control group. Data regarding age, history of pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancies, family history of pre-eclampsia, pregnancy, and abortion were obtained through a questionnaire given to each pregnant woman, after signing the consent form. The route of delivery and weight of the newborns were obtained from medical records of patients. Statistical analyses used were the t-test and Fisher's exact test. Results: Uric acid was significantly higher and weight of neonates was significantly lower in pre-eclamptic women. Significant correlations between uric acid and systolic blood pressure, and uric acid and 24-hour proteinuria were observed. Inverse correlations between uric acid levels and weight of newborns and between systolic blood pressure and the weight of newborns were also observed. Conclusions: The results agree with other previous research, and reinforce the idea that the concentration of serum uric acid in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia is associated with disease severity and contributes to better monitoring of the mother and newborn.