Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The study aims at testing the hypothesis that women with high serum ßhCG levels and lipid profile in early second trimester have risk of developing pregnancy induced hypertension. METHODS: Serum ßhCG estimation was done by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) method. Serum lipid profile was done by Enzymatic Colorimetric Test with Lipid Clearing factor (LCF) in 164 pregnant women between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Twenty nine cases developed PIH, while 135 cases remained normotensive. The serum ßhCG level increased very significantly (P<0.000) in those women who developed PIH. Concentration of total cholesterol and VLDL in women who subsequently developed PIH were significantly higher than that of normotensive women (P<0.0000 and P<0.027 respectively). Mean triglyceride value was visible higher in PIH groups. Increased of LDL in PIH group was very highly significant (P<0.000). Analysis of the response variable, viz. development of PIH or those that remained normotensive through multiple logistic regression model showed that for every 1,000 mIU/ml increase in serum ßhCG a pregnant women has 10.7% increasing chance of developing PIH. For one unit increase in TC, TG, VLDL and LDL there are 12.6%, 0.3%, 12.4% and 7.1% respectively increased chance of developing PIH. On the contrary, with one unit increase in HDL, the woman has 11.4% less chance of developing PLH. Out of the 29 cases, 21 women had elevated ßhCG while 28 women had dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal dyslipidemia and elevated maternal serum ßhCG at second trimester are very good non-invasive predictors of PIH. However, dyslipidemia seems to be a more efficient marker in predicting PIH at early second trimester.