Evaluation of serum lactate dehydrogenase in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its comparison with normal pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and their complications rank as one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study was to compare the level of serum LDH in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women and to correlate the levels with maternal and foetal outcome.Methods: Study was conducted in department of obstetrics and gynecology Kamla Nehru State Hospital for Mother and Child, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla w.e.f. 15th July, 2014 to 14th July, 2015. Pregnant women enrolled in the study were divided into following groups - Group 1- Age and parity matched 202 normotensive pregnant women. Group 2- 202 women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were also divided according to the serum LDH levels into following groups LDH <600 IU/L, LDH-600-800 IU/L and LDH >800IU/L. The maternal and foetal outcome was correlated with the serum level of LDH. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the chi-square test were used to compare the results. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05.Results: Severely preeclamptic and eclamptic patients were significantly younger, with low gravidity and parity. The symptoms and complications of preeclampsia and eclampsia along with perinatal mortality were increased significantly in patients with LDH >800 IU/L as compared with those who had lower levels.Conclusions: Lactate dehydrogenase is a useful biochemical marker that reflects the severity of and the occurrence of complications of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Identification of high-risk patients with elevated levels of lactic dehydrogenase, their close monitoring, and prompt, correct management may prevent these complications, with a subsequent decrease in maternal foetal morbidity and mortality.