Significance of serum iron levels as a biochemical marker in pregnancy-induced hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the changes in serum iron levels, if any, as a biochemical marker of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).


METHODS
Fifty-four primigravidas with PIH formed the study group and 20 normotensive primigravidas comprised the control group in a prospective study. Serum iron levels were estimated at diagnosis of PIH, at termination of pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Data was analyzed using Student's t-test, the chi 2-test and regression analysis.


RESULTS
Subjects with PIH were found to have higher serum iron levels at diagnosis of PIH (recruitment value) and at termination of pregnancy than the controls (P < 0.001). Serum iron levels in the PIH subjects decreased markedly in the postpartum period simultaneously with the clinical recovery from PIH. Serum iron values of > or = 110 micrograms/dl was found to differentiate PIH from normotensive pregnancies with a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 90%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in serum iron levels correlated with the clinical course of PIH and appeared to be a uniform and specific biochemical marker of PIH although its correlation with the severity of PIH was found to be poor.
Das
S S
SS
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Dhall
G I
GI
Dhall
K
K
Dash
S
S
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015415:Biomarkers; D007501:Iron