ABSTRACT
The early prediction of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is based on the demonstration of increased sympathetic activity in early part of pregnancy. However, the mechanisms that increase sympathetic activity in PIH have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, in the present study we have investigated the link of albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) to sympathovagal imbalance in PIH patients. Spectral analysis of HRV was performed in three groups of subjects (Group I: normal pregnant women; Group II: pregnant women with risk factors for PIH, but did not develop PIH; Group III: pregnant women with risk factors and developed PIH) and their biochemical parameters including AGR were recorded. It was observed that LF-HF ratio, the most sensitive indicator of sympathovagal balance was significantly high (P<0.01) since early pregnancy in group III compared to other groups, which was considerably correlated with AGR in group III (PIH subjects). It was suggested that alteration in AGR could have direct contribution to the sympathovagal imbalance that plays a critical role in the genesis of PIH.