Are high uric acid levels in patients with early pre-eclampsia an indication for delivery?
OBJECTIVE
To compare the perinatal mortality rates of pre-eclamptic patients with high, normal and low uric acid levels.


METHODS
Prospective analytic study.


METHODS
Tertiary hospital to which many patients with severe pre-eclampsia are referred.


METHODS
Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with severe pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
Delivery for maternal or fetal reasons, not taking uric acid levels into account.


METHODS
Perinatal mortality rate.


RESULTS
The mean uric acid level prior to delivery at a mean gestational age of 30.9 weeks was 0.4 mmol (SD 0.11). Twenty patients had uric acid levels of 0.28 mmol/l or lower and 25 patients values of 0.52 mmol/l or higher. The mean gestational age at admission and the admission-delivery interval for the high, normal and low uric acid groups were 29.2 weeks, 11.8 days; 29.2 weeks, 13.3 days and 27.1 weeks, 13 days respectively. For babies who weighed 1000 g or more at delivery, the perinatal mortality rates were 40, 11 and 50 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence from this study to support the association between perinatal deaths and higher uric acid levels in patients with severe pre-eclampsia.
Odendaal
H J
HJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Stellenbosch, W Cape.
Pienaar
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D014527:Uric Acid; D003404:Creatinine