PLASMA NT-PRO BNP LEVELS IN PREECLAMPTIC AND NORMOTENSIVE HEALTHY PREGNANT WOMEN AND ITS CORRELATION WITH MATERNAL COMPLICATIONS.

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) must be detected and diagnosed early to improve the prognosis of both mother and child. Currently, there is no reliable method for predicting and assessing the severity of preeclampsia. With this in mind, the present study evaluated plasma N terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP) levels in preeclamptic and normotensive women and the correlation between plasma NT-pro BNP levels and maternal complications. Methodology: In this prospective observational study, 100 women were enrolled and divided into a study group and a control group. NT-pro BNP levels were measured at term, just prior to induction of labour, or during early labour. All the women were observed until 48 hours postpartum, and the maternal outcome was recorded and statistically analysed. Results: Substantially elevated serum levels of NT-pro BNP were seen in PE women [437.84±411.12] than in controls [98.89±35.95]. In the control group, none of the women developed any complications, whereas 22 women had 27 complications in the study group. 18.00% of PE women had HELLP (partial), and elevated NT-proBNP levels were 769.84±419.51 pg/ml. Congestive heart failure was observed in only one woman. At the cut-off of 489.84, the Sensitivity and Specicity were 90.00% and 70.00%, respectively, for the diagnostic accuracy of complications in relation to NT-proBNP. A signicantly positive correlation was observed [r=0.6144; p<0.0001*] between the severity of PE and NT-proBNP level. Conclusion: Preeclamptic women have substantially higher NT-pro-BNP levels than healthy women. Hence, NT-proBNP can be used as an indicator for predicting maternal complications.