Maternal serum uric acid levels in preeclamptic women with multiple gestations.

Abstract

Our study was designed to determine serum uric acid levels and establish clinically useful cutoff values for the diagnosis of preeclampsia in twin and triplet gestations. We reviewed the medical records of 129 multiple gestations with serum uric acid levels available. Fifty-five twin gestations were complicated by preeclampsia, 51 were not. Fifteen triplet gestations were complicated by preeclampsia, and 8 were not. Preeclampsia was defined as a persistent blood pressure > or =140/90 mmHg, and proteinuria, or elevated liver enzymes, thrombocytopenia, or eclamptic seizure. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for twin and triplet gestations. Serum uric acid levels at different stages of gestation in twin gestations were determined. Maternal serum uric acid levels in preeclamptic twin and triplet gestations were significantly higher than those in nonpreeclamptics. Serum uric acid levels at varying gestational ages were significantly higher in preeclamptic twin gestations than in nonpreeclamptics. Maternal serum uric acid levels of 6.3 mg/dL and 6.8 mg/dL were found to be the most useful cutoff values for the diagnosis of preeclampsia in twin and triplet gestations, respectively. We conclude that compared to nonpreeclamptics, preeclamptic women with multiple gestations had significantly higher serum uric acid levels. Mean serum uric acid levels based on gestational age should be justified for the diagnosis of preeclampsia in multiple gestations.