Correlation of lactate dehydrogenase levels with outcome in patients with pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy causes profound anatomical, physiological and metabolic changes in maternal tissues. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an intracellular enzyme. Hence, the present study was undertaken for assessing and correlating LDH levels with outcome in patients with preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (PE) were included in the present study. Among these 60 patients, 30 patients were mild PE while the remaining 30 patients were of severe PE. Another set of 30 subjects of normotensive pregnancy were included as controlled group. Blood samples were obtained from all the subjects and were sent to laboratory where auto-analyser was used for the evaluation of serum LDH levels. Follow-up was done and outcome was recorded in all the patients. All the results were recorded into Microsoft excel sheet and were analysed by SPSS software. Results: Mean LDH levels amongst subjects of normotensive group, mild PE group and severe PE group was found to be 169.2 IU/L, 338.4 IU/L and 629.7 IU/L, respectively. Non-significant results were obtained while comparing the mean gestational age of the patients divided on the basis of mean LDH levels. Significant results were obtained while comparing the neonatal complications and neonatal mortality amongst patients divided on the basis of LDH levels. Conclusion: Significant alteration of LDH levels occurs in PE patients. In addition, higher levels of LDH levels are significantly associated with worse outcome in PE patients.