Elevated serum sialic acid in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
Serum sialic acid has recently gained interest as a possible cardiovascular risk factor as well as a potential tumour marker. The effect of pregnancy on serum sialic acid is unclear particularly in the post-partum period.


METHODS
Longitudinal cohort.


METHODS
Teaching hospital antenatal clinic.


METHODS
29 pregnant women, 27 age matched non-pregnant women.


METHODS
Specific enzymatic assay for sialic acid. The first serum sample was taken between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation; in 22 women this was followed by a second serum sample at 12 weeks postpartum. Serum sialic acid concentration was also measured in the 27 controls.


RESULTS
Mean (SD) serum sialic acid concentration was higher during pregnancy than post-partum: 91.1 (11.1) v 77.5 (11.1) mg/dl (p < 0.001); or in the control group: 66.0 (9.7) mg/dl (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum sialic acid is elevated during pregnancy and postpartum.
Crook
M
M
Department of Chemical Pathology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Constable
S
S
Lumb
P
P
Rymer
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D012794:Sialic Acids