RESUMO
To determine the role of secular trend in preeclampsia. Both at puberty and in the 3rd trimester of 65 singleton-primigravid preeclapmtics [Group I] and 867 comparable healthy, pregnants [Group II], body mass index [BMI], serum testosterones [total and free], dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin levels were measured. Also, the ages at menarche, umbilical S/D ratio, fetal sex and small muscular arteries/high power field [SMA/HPF] were detected. In group I menarche occurred earlier [p<0.001] with higher BMI [p<0.001]. Also, testosterones were significantly higher [p<0.001 for both] both at puberty and during pregnancy, irrespective of fetal sex. Also, S/D ratio was higher with smaller SMA/HPF [p<0.001 for both]. Also, BMI at puberty and testosterone levels; on one hand showed strong +ve correlation to diastolic blood pressure and S/D ratio and strong -ve correlation to SMA/HPF on the other hand. Preeclamptic primigravid showed earlier puberty, significant increase in BMI with significantly higher levels of testosterones than comparable normotensive women, which were associated with more severe disease. This may indicate a significant role for androgens both in the pathogenesis and the severity of PET