Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzyme Level in Women with Severe Preeclampsia: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: To determine the frequency of raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in women with severe preeclampsia.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration: Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from June 2018 to December 2018.

Methodology: There were 141 primiparous women with severe preeclampsia, included in this study. After taking history regarding hypertension and obstetrical examination, patients were subjected to a relevant investigation that is, 5ml of blood sent to an institutional laboratory for the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, if it is >400 U/L then it was labeled as raised.

Results: The frequency of raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (400 U/L) was 13.48% (19/141) women with severe preeclampsia.

Conclusion: About 14% of women having Pre-eclampsia had raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme. Severe preeclampsia is associated with severe multisystemic involvement. Raised LDH levels are indicative of cellular damage and severe hypertension in pregnancy.