Plasma uric acid level in overweight and obese pregnant women and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

Background: Hyperuricaemia, a common lifestyle disorder related to obesity has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective: To ascertain the correlates of plasma uric acid in overweight and obese pregnant women and to investigate their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods: Blood collected at recruitment from 349 pregnant women (gestational age ≤ 25 wks) who gave their consent were analysed for uric acid alongside haematological and other biochemical parameters using standard laboratory methods. Maternal sociodemographic/obstetric and anthropometric parameters were obtained by questionnaire while maternal and foetal outcomes were recorded at delivery. Results: Plasma uric acid although significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the overweight women in comparison to either the obese or women with normal body mass index (BMI), and comparable in obese and women with normal BMI, the morbidly obese pregnant women had uric acid level that was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that found in overweight, obese and women with normal BMI. However no correlation was observed between plasma uric acid and maternal BMI (r = -0.058, p = 0.304). Both women with normal and elevated plasma uric acid levels had comparable (p > 0.05) maternal outcomes, but while preterm delivery was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the latter when compared with the former, low birth weight and still birth were comparable (p > 0.05) between the groups. It may therefore be concluded that overweight pregnant women had significantly higher uric acid level than pregnant women of normal BMI with hyperuricaemia associated with preterm delivery.