Serum uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes among mothers with pre-eclampsia in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with significantly high morbidity and mortality to both mother and fetus. Preeclampsia is associated with high uric acid; therefore, this study was done to determine the utility of serum uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes among pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia in Tanzania.

Methods: A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July 2020 at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tanzania. A total of 268 mothers were recruited and a checklist was used to document the mothers' and neonates' demographic and clinical characteristics. Analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Data were summarized using frequency and percentages for categorical and mean (±standard deviation) for continuous variables.

Results: Out of 268 mothers, 211 (78.7%) had raised serum uric acid, whereas an overall mean (± SD) serum uric acid level was 0.42±0.09mmol/L. The magnitude of adverse perinatal outcomes was 51 (19%) stillbirth, 184(68.7%) low birth weight, 33 (12.3%) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, 72 (26.9%) low Apgar score, and 190 (70.9%) for preterm delivery. Pre-eclamptic pregnant women with serum uric acid levels < 0.35 mmol/L were more likely to have good perinatal outcomes and the difference was statistically significant, (AOR(95%CI) p-value = 0.39 (0.18 – 0.80) 0.011)).

Conclusion: Serum uric acid levels can predict perinatal outcomes among pre eclamptic pregnant women. Further study is recommended to assess the sensitivity and specificity of uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes.