Lactate Dehydrogenase: Role in the Prediction of Severity in Pre-Eclampsia.

BACKGROUND Pre-eclampsia is the hypertensive pregnancy disorder accompanied by the proteinuria. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a biochemical marker that reflects the severity and progression of pre-eclampsia. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted at the Liaquat University of medical and health sciences (LUMHS). One hundred pre-eclamptic women were enrolled and grouped into mild (n=30) and severe pre-eclamptic women (n=70) to ascertain the function of LDH as a prognostic marker and to assess its association with severity and gestational age in preeclamptic women. RESULTS The significant differences in mean concentrations of LDH between mild and severe pre-eclamptic women (P value <0.0001) and early and late onset pre-eclamptic women (P value=0.049) were found. Significant differences were also found in the LDH range between mild and severe pre-eclamptic women presented with late onset pre-eclampsia (P value= 0.004). Statistically significant differences (P value= 0.019) in the levels of LDH were found with systolic blood pressure and proteinuria (P value= 0.048). CONCLUSION LDH is the prognostic marker representing the severity of pre-eclampsia. An increased level of LDH directs the adequate monitoring and management; and by early detection of pre-eclampsia serious consequences and complications may be prevented.