![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Incidence of eclampsia varies between 0.5% and 0.2% of all deliveries. About 10% of pregnancies are complicated by hypertension. Preeclampsia accounts for 70% of hypertension in pregnancy. Eclampsia is an ideal disorder to establish and evaluate predictive tests, as preeclampsia is a disease associated with high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Fetal hemoglobin is structurally made up of 2 alpha and 2 non-alpha chains; in addition, Hb-F has 2 - gamma chains and the predominant adult blood HbA1 has 2 beta chains. The aim of the study was to assess the value of measuring free feotal haemoglobin in maternal blood in cases with severe preeclampsia as a predictor for the development of eclampsia in such cases. The study included eighty pregnant women admitted to El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital. Cases were divided to two groups; group (A) forty cases with signs and symptoms of severe preeclampsia, group (B) forty cases that had signs and symptoms of eclampsia. Methods: after history, examination & ultrasound assessment of fetal condition 5 ml of maternal venous blood were collected &Free fetal hemoglobin (Hb-F) was differentiated from the adult form (Hb-A) by Human fetal Hemoglobin ELISA Quantitation Set. The study is a retrospective cohort study between two groups, statistical analysis of Hb-F in both groups found a significant statistical difference as regards value of maternal serum Hb-F in both groups as the calculated p value is < 0.001.The specificity & sensitivity of Hb-F as a predictor were65% &70 % using ROC curve at cutoff value of Hb-F ≤ 1300ng/ml. Fetal hemoglobin level in maternal blood is considered as a good predictor of eclampsia. |