How does pre-eclampsia influence thermal conductivity of the skin?

To evaluate the thermal conductivity characteristics in relation to pre-eclampsia, deep body temperature (DBT) was measured using the zero-heat flow method in non-pregnant healthy subjects, normal pregnant subjects, pregnant subjects with essential hypertension and in pre-eclamptics. The duration of the initial rise in peripheral DBT was significantly prolonged in the pre-eclamptics, as compared with findings in the other three groups. The results indicate that pre-eclamptics have a decrease of thermal conductivity of the skin.