Serum complement 3 and complement 4 in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

Serum levels of C3 and C4 were measured in normal nonpregnant [n=4], normal pregnant [n=15] and preeclamptic women [n=45] during last month of pregnancy, labor and within 24 hr after delivery. A highly significant rise was found in C3 and C4 in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia compared to nonpregnant, while insignificant difference was found between preeclamptic and normal pregnant women. Apart from significant rise in C4 during labor in normal pregnancy, no significant changes were found in C3 or C4 during pregnancy, labor or postpartum in normal pregnancy as well as preeclampsia. In severe preeclampsia, no significant changes were found in C4 during pregnancy, labor or postpartum, while C3 levels were significantly increased during pregnancy, significantly decreased during labor and insignificantly increased after labor when compared to mild preeclampsia