Association Between Maternal Hyperuricemia and Small for Gestational Age Fetuses in Normotensive Pregnant Women

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between maternal hyperuricemia and the occurrence of small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses in normotensive pregnant women.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted across two campuses of the Ziauddin University Hospital Karachi, specifically within the Gynecology and Obstetrics Departments, spanning from November 2016 to April 2017. A total of 50 pregnant women with SGA fetuses served as cases, while 50 pregnant women with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses acted as controls. Inclusion criteria encompassed women aged 20 to 35 years with singleton pregnancies. Serum uric acid levels were assessed in both the case and control groups using blood samples obtained from Ziauddin Laboratory. Data collection was executed using a predefined proforma.

Results: One hundred normotensive women with singleton pregnancies were recruited during the third trimester. The mean maternal age was 27.3 ± 3.5 years in the AGA group and 24.6 ± 3.8 years in the SGA group. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was found to be 17 (34%) in the SGA group compared to 8 (16%) in the AGA group. Maternal elevated uric acid levels during pregnancy were significantly associated with SGA (odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04 – 7.04; p = 0.038). Maternal hyperuricemia was not statistically significant based on BMI (p > 0.05) but showed statistical significance in relation to parity >2 (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Elevated maternal uric acid levels during pregnancy were notably more prevalent in women with small gestational age fetuses.

Keywords: Uric Acid, Hyperuricemia, Small for Gestational Age, Normotensive.