Liver and kidney function tests in elderly gravidae presenting with preeclampsia

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific syndrome, causes derangement in liver and kidney functions. Increase in maternal age increases the pregnancy-associated complications. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare liver and kidney functions among two groups of pregnant women presenting with preeclampsia: age <35 years and age ≥35 years (i.e., elderly gravidae). Materials and Methods: Pregnant women presenting with preeclampsia in age <35 years comprised the control group and pregnant women in age ≥35 years comprised the study group. Both the groups were tested for serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase for assessing liver function and serum urea, creatinine and uric acids for assessing kidney function. The mean value of measured parameters was compared by unpaired t-test with α = 0.05. Results: The mean age in control group (n = 50) was 22.44 ± 3.60 years and in study group (n = 50) was 36.22 ± 2.39 years. Liver function test parameters did not show any statistically significant difference in control and study groups. Urea and uric acid in study group (38.18 ± 7.28 mg/dL and 7.31 ± 0.84 mg/dL, respectively) were significantly higher than control group (32.92 ± 8.91 mg/dL and 6.19 ± 0.96 mg/dL, respectively). Conclusion: Elderly gravidae with preeclampsia showed a higher level of urea and uric acid when compared with women <35 years of age presenting with preeclampsia. Hence, an increase in maternal age in preeclampsia may increase the risk of kidney function deterioration.