Association of lipoprotein (a) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein in preeclampsia

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder associated with substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality. Neonates born to hypertensive mothers are at increased risk of prematurity and foetal growth restriction. Timely prediction and accurate diagnosis is the key to limiting the morbidity and mortality caused by preeclampsia. Early identification of PE using inflammatory biomarkers could reduce PE related comorbidities. Aim: To compare levels inflammatory markers: hsCRP and Lipoprotein (a) levels in preeclamptic pregnant women, with the levels of inflammatory markers among women with normal pregnancy at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 50 Preeclamptic women and 50 apparently healthy singleton pregnant women matched for gestational age and parity. Data was analyzed in SPSS V:16. To find association between inflammatory markers and blood pressure levels, statistical tests like chi-square, independent student t–test were applied. Results: Lp (a) and hsCRP levels were significantly higher among preeclamptic group compared to normal pregnancy group and these levels had moderate positive correlation with SBP (r=0.650) and DBP (0.627) among preeclamptic women. Conclusion: Increased levels of lipoprotein (a) and hsCRP are found in the present study, which are correlating with the progression of preeclampsia by causing endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory cascade. Also, earliest detection of Lp (a) and hsCRP in pregnancy could help to detect preeclampsia and to prevent its further complications.