Comparative Evaluation of Maternal Serum Uric Acid Levels at Delivery Among Gestational Hypertensive Women and Its Effect on Foetal Outcome in Sagamu, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to determine the relationship between maternal serum uric acid level at delivery in gestational hypertensive women and subsequent foetal outcome.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 85 women with singleton pregnancy diagnosed with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, admitted for delivery were recruited and normotensive pregnant women with singleton pregnancy served as control.

Results: Eighty five women had gestational hypertension or preeclampsia while the remaining 85 women were normotensives. Out of the 85 subjects with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, 32 (37.6%) had gestational hypertension while 53 (62.4%) had preeclampsia. The mean age of the subjects was 31.02±6.02 years. The mean gestational age at delivery of the subjects was significantly lower than the controls. Forty seven (55.3%) of the subjects had hyperuricaemia (serum uric acid >339 µmol/L) whereas only 27.1% of the controls had elevated serum uric acid. The mean uric acid of the subjects was significantly higher than the normotensive controls (381.12±118.54µmol/L Vs 289.84±82.96µmol/L; p=0.002). The foetal outcomes were adversely affected among the hypertensive group compared to the normotensive arm.

Conclusion: There was adverse foetal outcome in the hypertensives in terms of preterm births, low birth-weight babies and neonatal ward admission. Gestational hypertension with hyperuricaemia was a predictor of poor foetal outcome but Apgar scores was not affected with the serum uric acid levels.