[Comparison of serum ceruloplasmin in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy]

Preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Endothelial cell dysfunction is important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. An imbalance between free radical induced lipid preoxidation and antioxidant system such as ceruloplasmin has been suggested as a possible pathogenic factor in preeclampsia and disturbing endothelial function. The aim of this study is to compare serum ceruloplasmin level in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. This is a cross-sectional study that was performed on 39 preeclamptic patients [21 mild and 18 severe preeclampsia as case group] and 30 women with normal pregnancy [control group]. Five cc of blood was obtained from each patient and serum ceroloplasmin level was measured with special kit. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA Kruskal-wallis tests and ROC curve. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Maternal serum ceroloplasmin level was significantly different between the studied groups [P=0.47]. Increased serum ceroloplasmin level can be used as a predictive factor to diagnose severe preeclampsia

use of protein to creatinin ratio in random urine sample for prediction of proteinuria in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia occurs in approximately 17% of pregnancies, unknown etiology. The gold standard method for assessment of protein excreted in the urine to diagnose preeclampsia is a 24- h urine collection. However, this method is cumbersome and time consuming for the patient and laboratory. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of protein to creatinin ratio in random urine sample for prediction of proteinuria in preeclampsia. This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. This study was performed on 150 pregnant women who were hospitalized as preeclampsia in Ghaem Hospital during early 2006. At first, a random urine sample was collected for each patient to determine protein/creatinine ratio. Then, 24-h urine collection was analyzed for the measurement of proteinuria. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software and Pearson correlation coefficient for evaluation of the results. A total of 150 patients were entered the study. There was a significant relation between the 24-h urine protein and protein to creatinine ratio [r=0.659, P<0.001]. The use of e protein-to-creatinin ratio in random urine sample is a suitable replacement for the measurement of 24-h urine protein. This method is quick, reliable and cost effectiveness