Estimation of plasma uric acid in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). Is the test still relevant?

Plasma uric acid and creatinine were estimated at each visit of 59 consenting women attending ante-natal clinic. Results in the third trimester of pregnancy confirmed that the plasma uric acid was able to differentiate between normal pregnancy and those with PIH at P < 0.002. The results of those with ordinary hypertension and the women who developed pre-eclampsia were similar. Plasma creatinine was found to be able to differentiate between women with ordinary hypertension (97.45 +/- 25.03 umol/L) and those with pre-eclampsia (288.75 +/- 191.97 umol/L) at P < 0.01. For patients with pre-eclampsia who developed convulsions, there invariably was a further rise in the plasma uric acid levels. Monitoring of plasma creatinine level among patients with PH will help to predict those at risk of developing pre-eclampsia. In the same way, monitoring of plasma uric acid level in those with pre-eclampsia will help to predict those that will develop eclampsia. The tests are inexpensive but sensitive, which is in contrast to many more expensive electronic alternatives.