Alterations in serum uric acid values in a sample of Nigerian pregnant women
Author
Wagbara, Chisom Clara
Alikor, Chizindu Akudubike
Abstract
Serum uric acid level is an important prognostic variable in pregnancy as subjects with preeclampsia have elevated serum uric acid levels. Methods: The concentrations of serum uric acid were investigated in 100 women of which 75 were pregnant women and categorized into 3 groups of 25 each, based on their trimesters of pregnancy and 25 non-pregnant women, which served as control.Results: In the first trimester, the mean values of uric acid were 122µmol/L with a decrease in the levels of uric acid when compared with the control levels of 308 µmol/L (p<0.05).In the second trimester, the values of uric acid were 199umol/l with a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the levels of uric acid when compared with the controls. In the third trimester of pregnancy, the values of uric acid were 360 µmol/L. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of uric acid when compared with the controls.Conclusion: The progressive increase in the levels of uric acid through the trimesters of pregnancy suggests an impairment in uric acid excretion, may be with concomitant increase in renal tubular re-absorption of uric acid, thereby leading to hyperuricaemia.