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Elevated serum sialic acid in pregnancy
1Department of Chemical Pathology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Objective:
Serum sialic acid has recently gained interest as a possible cardiovascular risk factor as well as a potential tumour marker. The effect of pregnancy on serum sialic acid is unclear particularly in the post-partum period.
Design:
Longitudinal cohort.
Setting:
Teaching hospital antenatal clinic.
Population:
29 pregnant women, 27 age matched non-pregnant women.
Methods:
Specific enzymatic assay for sialic acid. The first serum sample was taken between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation; in 22 women this was followed by a second serum sample at 12 weeks postpartum. Serum sialic acid concentration was also measured in the 27 controls.
Results:
Mean (SD) serum sialic acid concentration was higher during pregnancy than post-partum: 91.1 (11.1) v 77.5 (11.1) mg/dl (p < 0.001); or in the control group: 66.0 (9.7) mg/dl (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Serum sialic acid is elevated during pregnancy and postpartum.