Evaluation of serum uric acid level among pregnant women in Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism and has been implicated in preeclampsia and hypertension in pregnant women.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the uric acid level among pregnant women in Warri, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of one hundred (100) women were recruited which comprises eighty (80) pregnant and twenty (20) non-pregnant women. Five milliliters (5ml) of blood was collected aseptically into a plain container which was allowed to clot and serum harvested for uric acid estimation. Uric acid was evaluated enzymatically using standard method. Statistical package for social sciences was employed with the mean ± SD of the variables compared using student t test.

Results: Pregnant women show significantly (p<0.05) higher uric acid when compared to apparently healthy non - pregnant women. Pregnant women in first trimester show a significantly (p<0.05) lower uric acid than second and third trimester but no significant (p>0.05) difference observed between second and third trimester when compared.

Conclusion: It is therefore pertinent to state that uric acid should be included as a routine antenatal test in order to curb development of preeclampsia in pregnancy during second and third trimester.