Study of Serum Malondialdehyde and Uric Acid in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension & Its Medico-Legal Significance

Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) remains the major cause of both maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. While dealing with PIH women, the obstetricians have to be very careful to diagnose and properly manage the patients to prevent further progression of PIH disorders and complications so that charges of medical negligence against them may be avoided. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum uric acid level with severity of PIH, and to correlate their medico-legal significance in avoiding the medical negligence charges. Study subjects included 70 PIH and 70 normotensive pregnant women of age group 18 -40 years with gestational age >20 weeks. Highly significant increase (p<0.001) in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was recorded in PIH subjects. Serum MDA and uric acid level was also significantly elevated (p<0.001) in PIH subjects compared to the control subjects. Serum MDA and uric acid may be included as additional parameters for screening and progression of PIH. This may be helpful in effectively managing the PIH patients at an early stage thereby further avoiding medical negligence charges.