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Anion gap determination in preeclampsia
L C Matsumoto1, D S Kirz, S Shott
1Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|March 10, 1998
Summary
Pregnant women with proteinuric hypertension showed a smaller calculated anion gap compared to those without hypertension. This finding suggests a potential biomarker for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- Hypertension in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, is a significant concern.
- The anion gap is an indirect measure of unmeasured anions in serum.
- Understanding metabolic changes in hypertensive pregnancies is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hypertension in pregnancy and the calculated anion gap.
- To compare anion gap values in pregnant women with and without hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1223 deliveries over a 6-month period.
- Categorization of patients into proteinuric hypertension, non-proteinuric hypertension, and normotensive groups.
- Statistical comparison of anion gap, serum sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.
Main Results:
- Proteinuric hypertensive patients exhibited significantly lower serum sodium levels (P < .005).
- A statistically significant lower anion gap was observed in proteinuric hypertensive patients (P < .005).
- No significant differences in serum chloride or bicarbonate levels were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- The anion gap is reduced in pregnant women with proteinuric hypertension.
- This suggests potential alterations in acid-base balance or unmeasured anions in this condition.
- The anion gap may serve as a useful indicator in managing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.