Background: Preeclampsia is a common medical disorder affecting about 2–7% of pregnant women worldwide and can lead to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes such as increased maternal as well as perinatal morbidity and morbidity. The etiology of preeclampsia remains ambiguous, albeit, reports that implicated placental defects and oxidative stress early during pregnancy in affected pregnancies. Micronutrients and trace elements play a pivotal role in metabolism and in the preservation of tissue function. Trace elements are important constituents of a number of antioxidants. Therefore, they are integral part of a robust antioxidant that protects the cell from damage.
Objective: To assess association serum levels of calcium, magnesium, uric acid and C-reactive protein in mild preeclampsia ladies and normal pregnant ladies to predict sever preeclampsia.
Patients and methods: This was a case control study was conducted at Al-Azhar university hospitals included 100 patients in their third trimester of gestation divided into two groups; The 1st group consisted of 50 pregnant ladies with preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy that was determined by last menstrual period (LMP) or first trimester ultrasound, and the 2nd group consisted of 50 normotensive pregnant ladies in the third trimester of pregnancy that was determined by last menstrual period (LMP) or first trimester ultrasound. Duration of research was one year starting from May2020 to May 2021.
Results: Calcium and magnesium were significantly lower in preeclampsia group compared to normotensive group. Meanwhile, uric acid and CRP levels were significantly higher in preeclampsia group compared to normotensive group. There a significant positive correlation between DBP with uric acid, CRP and proteinuria while there a significant negative correlation between DBP with calcium and magnesium. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of UA to predict women with preeclampsia. Best cutoff value for UA is >5.9 mg/dl, which gives a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 84%. The study revealed that CRP with value > 12 mg/L, has a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 94%, furthermore, cutoff value for calcium is < 8.9 mg/dl and has a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 88%, while as regard Magnesium with cutoff value < 1.8 mg/dl has a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 82%. Calcium, uric acid and CRP were found to be significant predictors for preeclampsia.
Conclusion: Serum C-reactive protein, magnesium and uric acid levels along with blood cell count cumulatively can be measured and may be used as markers for early diagnosis of preeclampsia and can be reduced maternal as well as fetal morbidity and mortality.