Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Preeclampsia and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia, a key cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide and extremely in regions like the Asian subcontinent, insists effective biomarkers for threat stratum and outcome prediction. Lactate dehydrogenase, a sign of cellular injury, has been explored for its eventual association with the importance and harmful outcomes of preeclampsia. Aim: To evaluate the LDH level and correlate the LDH to the preeclampsia outcomes in mother and fetus. Methods: This cross-sectional study was implied among 68 pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka from June 1st, 2022, to May 31st, 2024. Data on socio-demographics, maternal and fetal outcomes, and laboratory LDH levels were collected from medical records. The association between LDH levels and maternal edema, as well as neonatal obstacles, was assessed using Fisher's Exact Test. A p-value <0.05 was denoted the level of significance. Ethical approval was acquired, and informed consent was confirmed by all contributors. Results: In 68 preeclamptic women, no significant association was noticed between LDH levels and maternal edema (p=0.625) or neonatal difficulties (low birth weight: p=0.802; prematurity: p=0.396; NICU admission: p=0.728). A significant association materialized between the history of preeclampsia and the existence of edema, proteinuria, and convulsion (p<0.001). The study population predominantly protected women aged 20-30 years, living in urban areas, with at minimum secondary education, gestational age ≥25 weeks, and multiparity. High rates of gestational diabetes 79.4%, moderate edema 70.6%, low birth weight newborns 47.1%, and significant proteinuria 63.2% were declared. Higher LDH (>524 U/L) appeared in 29.4% of cases. Conclusion: The history of preeclampsia was significantly associated with maternal edema, proteinuria, and convulsion. While the results do not support LDH as a direct predictor of these specified harmful effects in this study, extra research with big samples are needed to screen its prognostic criteria in preeclampsia.