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Background and purpose: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and is known as a specific syndrom of pregnancy. Several studies have been done to asses the indicators of preeclampsia for early detection of the disease. Uric acid is considered by some investigators as one of the most sensetive indicators in preeclampsia. In contrast some researchers have found it not useful in prediction of preeclampsia. Hence, more studies are needed about the role of uric acid levels in diagnosis of preeclampsia. The aim of this research is to compare the serum uric acid levels in preeclamptic and normal pregnant women and its sensivity as an indicator of preeclampsia.
Materials and methods : In this case-control study 304 pregnant women were enrolled in the study at Fatmeh Zahrah Hospital of Sari. Among them, 151 preeclamptic women were allocated in case group and 153 healthy pregnant women in control group. SPSS were used for analysis of data and variables were compared by Chi square, ANOVA, Pearson correlation index, and sensivity and specifity were calculated.
Results : Difference in the number of term delivery and primi gravidity between the three groups (normal, mild and severe preeclampsia) were significant (P<0.05). Considering maternal and fetal outcomes, only Decolman (two cases) had no significant difference between 3 groups. Mean of uric acid levels differed between three groups (P<0.0001). Severe preeclampsia had the most significant difference with normal group. Elevated uric acid (defined as up of 5.5 mg/dl) was observed in 34/2% in hyperuricemia group, 71.2 % in preeclamtic and 28.8% in control group (P<0.0001) The sensivity of uric acid levels for determining the preeclampsia and its severity elevated with increasing in concentration of uric acid but the specifity decreased.
Conclusion : Results showed that the sensivity of uric acid levels in diagnosis of preeclampsia is moderate and measuring uric acid can be used in determining the severity of preeclampsia, maternal and specially fetal outcomes (LBW, preterm, IUGR, low apgar).

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Background and purpose : Pregnancy may cause hypertension in normotensive women or aggrevate preexisting hypertention. The incidence of Preeclamsia is 5-10%, and is an important contributor to maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. According to many predisposing factors in pathophysiology of preeclampsia, the role of lipid preoxides, is also important. In this study attempts are made to show the relationship between inceasing of plasma lipids and hypertension in pregnancy.
Materials and Methods : This is a case-control study on pregnant women reffering to Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, From Oct. 2003 to Oct. 2004. Case group include 100 preeclamptic pregnant women and for control group 100 normotensive pregnant women were recruired. (preeclamsia : BP> = 140 /90 mmHg, or Proteinuria > + 1 0r > = 300mg/dL in urine 24 h ) . Total TG, cholestrol, HDL and LDL were measured by enzymatic methods. Statistical analysis were performed using T-Test and Pearson's method.
Results : The most important results are as follows: The mean of TG in case group was 45 % more than that of the control group (P<0.001, sig). The mean of cholestrol level in case group was 15 % more than control group (P<0.01, sig). The mean of LDL in case group is 5 % more than that of the control group (NS).
Conclusion : As the levels of plasma lipids in preeclamptic women were more than normotensive women measuring of Plasma lipids also can be a marker for predisposing to Preeclampsia.

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Background and purpose: Preeclampsia is a medical condition in pregnancy that is determined by hypertension and proteinuria. Among many predisposing factors in pathophysiology of preeclampsia, the role of lipid peroxides is recently emphasized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of preeclampsia with maternal plasma and umbilical cord lipid concentration. Materials and methods: A case-control study was done on pregnant women referring to Babol Yahyanejad Hospital, during 2008-2009. Case group included 31 term preeclamptic pregnant women and for control group 31 term normal pregnant women were recruited. All women were 20-30 years of age and were gravida 1 or 2. Total TG, cholesterol, HDL and LDL for plasma and umbilical cord were measured by enzymatic and calorimetric methods. Results: No significant differences were found between women with preeclampsia and normal subjects according to the mean level of triglyceride (291.1  102.8 VS 309.4  114.4), cholesterol (226.3  48.8 VS 234.9  40.6), LDL (119  38.3 VS 123  33.1), HDL (50.1  10.6 VS 51.5  8.1) and VLDL (59.2  20.8 VS 61.5  22.6). Level of lipids in umbilical cord showed abnormal triglyceride level in only one case in the control group. Moreover, the mean level of umbilical cord triglyceride (56.3  32 VS 50.1  54), umbilical cord cholesterol (70.9  22.8 VS 64.4  20.8), umbilical cord LDL (30.9  12.7 VS 26.1  10), umbilical cord HDL (28.7  10.7 VS 30.7  8.6) and umbilical cord VLDL (11.6  6.8 VS 9.9  10.7) were not significantly different between preeclampsia and normal groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Results showed that there was no association between lipid concentration of mothers and umbilical cord lipids with preeclampsia.

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Background and purpose: High blood pressure is a common complication of pregnancy which is responsible for maternal morbidity and mortality. In some studies, abnormality in iron parameters has been reported in preeclampsia. Also, increased serum ferritin levels (that reflect body iron status) early in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy have been reported. Some researches, however, indicated different results. Materials and methods: This case-control study was performed in pregnant women attending prenatal care unit and hospital maternity at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari. We evaluated serum iron indices and hematological parameters such as hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations in patients with preeclampsia and compared them with those of the women having normal pregnancies. Results: There were significant differences in serum iron and ferritin levels in women with preeclampsia compared with those of the women with normal pregnancies, 113.87 vs 73.23 , 63.8 vs 22.47, respectively. Also, TIBC level was significantly lower in preeclamptic women. No significant differences were found between the two groups in RBC count, hematocrit and hemoglobin values. Conclusion: According to this study, it is believed that iron profile including iron and ferritin serum levels, and transferrin saturation is higher in women with preeclampsia

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Background and purpose: Preeclampsia is one of the three main causes of death in pregnant women in which multiple causes may be involved including lifestyle, stress, and sleep disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pre-eclampsia and restless legs syndrome.

Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted in 150 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 150 pregnant women without pre-eclampsia attending health centers and state hospitals of Mashhad, Iran in 2014. The diagnosis of preeclampsia was made by a systolic blood pressure equal to, or greater than 140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure equal to, or greater than 90 mm Hg, accompanied by urinary protein excretion more than 300 mg per 24 hours. The presence of restless legs syndrome was determined based on the diagnostic criteria updated by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.16 and chi-square test, odds ratio, independent t-test, mann-whitney, chi-square, correlation coefficient and logistic regressions. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Restless legs syndrome was observed in 15.3% of the participants with preeclampsia and 7.3% of the control group indicating a significant relationship between pre-eclampsia and restless legs syndrome (P<0.001). In fact, participants with pre-eclamsia were more at risk of restless legs syndrome compared to those without it (OR =2.28, CI95%:1.07-4.88).

Conclusion: Due to an increased risk of preeclampsia in women with restless legs syndrome during pregnancy, it can be considered as a risk factor for preeclampsia.

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Periodontal disease is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases in humans. In recent years, an association was found between periodontitis and some systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, problems during pregnancy, diabetes, cerebrovascular diseases, and respiratory disorders. Complications that may arise during pregnancy include pretem birth, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preeclampsia. The association between periodontitis and preeclampia is discussed in this article by reviewing relevant data.

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Background and purpose: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are still one of the major issues in obstetrics. So far, few studies are conducted on the troponin I level of pregnant women and preeclampsia but their results are not conclusive. In this study the troponin levels were compared between patients with severe preeclampsia, mild preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and normal blood pressure.

Materials and methods: A case control study was conducted in four groups of pregnant women (n=35 per group) with severe preeclampsia, mild preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and normal blood pressure attending Kosar Center, Qazvin, Iran 2014-2015. The troponin I level in the groups were studied. Data was analyzed in SPSS V.19 applying ANOVA, Chi-square, and T-test. 

Results: The mean age of patients was 29.1±6.6. The level of troponin was lower than 0.01 ng/ml in patients with severe preeclampsia, mild preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and normal blood pressure. But in one case with severe preeclampsia this level was 0.15. The findings indicated no significant difference between the groups (P=0.4)

Conclusion: The level of troponin was not different in patients with severe preeclampsia, mild preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and normal blood pressure.

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Background and purpose: Preeclampsia is a serious condition in pregnancy. Previous
studies have shown that NT-pro BNP level is higher in preeclamptic patients than that in pregnant women with normal blood pressure. Severity of preeclampsia is one of the critical factors in managing patients, so, this study aimed at investigating the relationship between the level of NT-pro BNP and severity of preeclampsia.
Materials and methods: In this descriptive study, three groups of pregnant women with normal blood pressure (n= 29), non-severe preeclampsia (n= 30), and severe preeclampsia (n=31) were included. Diagnostic criteria and classification of preeclampsia were based on the guideline for hypertension in pregnancy by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2013. The level of NT-pro BNP was measured by ELISA. Data analysis was done applying t-test, fisher test, Kruskal Wallis, and Mann Whitney.
Results: The levels of NT-pro BNP were 40±26, 55±33, and 74±37 pg/ml in pregnant women with normal blood pressure, non-severe preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia, respectively. Significant differences were found between the cases with normal blood pressure and those with severe preeclampsia in the level of NT-pro BNP (P= 0.003).
Conclusion: The level of NT-pro BNP in preeclamptic women was higher than that of the pregnant women with normal blood pressure which was correlated with the severity of preeclampsia too. It seems that the level of NT-pro BNP could be used to differentiate severe preeclampsia from non-severe cases.
 

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Background and purpose: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication with multiorgan involvement caused by the loss of mother's immune tolerance to the placenta and fetus antigen or the wrong adjustment. HLA-G is an immune-modulatory molecule and this study aimed at investigating the levels of HLA-G and its association with incidence and severity of preeclampsia in pregnant women in third trimester.
Materials and methods: A case-control study was performed in pregnant women attending Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital and Baqban Clinic, 2015-2016. A total of 71 subjects (in third trimester) was selected meeting the study inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups; a group with preeclampsia (n=34) and a group of pregnant women without preeclampsia (n= 37, controls). Pregnancy routine lab tests were done and demographic information, blood pressure levels, and incidence of preeclampsia were recorded in both groups. Then, blood sample (5 ml) was collected from all cases and HLA-G levels were measured in serum samples.
Results: The mean serum levels of HLA-G were significantly lower in women with preeclampsia (0.58±0.18 ng/L) compared to that of other group (0.78±0.45 ng/L) (P=0.02). Also, the mean serum levels of HLA-G in those with mild preeclampsia was significantly higher than that of cases with severe preeclampsia (P=0.04).
Conclusion: Decrease in production of HLA-G molecule is believed to be one of the decisive factors in development and progression of preeclampsia which could be due to abnormalities in gene expression. Therefore, HLA-G molecule and its mechanism should be further studied to prevent this condition.