Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem progressive disorder characterized by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria. Women with PE have been shown to be at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the levels of protein C and protein S among females with PE, and todetermine whether there is relationship between deficiencies of these proteins and PE severity.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
A total of 30 pregnant women with PE and other 30 normotensive age-matched healthy pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in this case-control study. Beside blood pressure and general physical examination of each participant, peripheral venous blood sample were tested for complete blood count (CBC) prothrombin time (PT) activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), protein C and protein S.
RESULTS:
Out of 30 patients, there were 8 patients 26.67%) who had protein C deficiency compared to only 1 pregnant woman (3.33%) among the control group with a significant difference. Likewise, the frequency of protein S deficiency was 20% among patients, while none among controls had such deficiency. Mean plasma level of protein C and protein S in preeclmaptic women was 79.07±21.94% and 68.73±13.19%, respectively which was significantly lower than that of women with normal pregnancy (90.0± 14.96% and 78.67±10.17%, respectively). Furthermore, 50% of women suffering from protein C or protein S deficiency experienced severe PE while 95.45% and 91.67% of women with sufficient protein C and protein S, respectively displayed mild form of the disease.
CONCLUSION:
Both protein C and protein S significantly reduced in pregnant women with PE and are associated with the severity of the disease.
Keywords
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