Serum Uric Acid and Plasma Glucose Levels in Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

There are existing reports of an association of uric acid with glucose metabolism and their impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hyperuricemia is linked to glucose homeostasis and basically to all components of the metabolic syndrome in the general population. Based on this premise, our study aimed at determining the level of serum uric acid and plasma glucose in second and third-trimester normal pregnancies with a view of establishing cut off values in Makurdi, Nigeria. The hospital-based case-control study involved a total of 103 participants aged 18-35 years attending the antenatal and the general health check up clinics. The participants comprised of 81 normal pregnant females in their second and third trimesters compared with 22 non pregnant controls. Their fasting plasma glucose and serum uric acid levels were compared among age-matched non-pregnant women (n=22), second (n=38), and third (n=43) trimester pregnancies. Serum uric acid level in second (5.89±0.85mg/dl) and third (6.23±1.30mg/dl) trimester pregnancies were significantly (p=0.000) higher than the non-pregnant controls (3.80±1.11mg/dl). A significant (p<0.01) increase in plasma glucose was observed in third-trimester pregnancies (5.19±0.64mmol/l) compared to second-trimester pregnancies (4.87±0.79mmol/l) and controls (4.65±0.51mmol/l). The study provided cut-off values for uric acid, glucose, and further points the need for prenatal care in terms of screening and diagnosis of pregnancy complications in all pregnant women including those considered at low risk.