Abstract

Background


Maintaining a healthy acid-base balance, ensuring adequate nutrition, and managing conditions like hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are essential aspects of maternal healthcare during pregnancy. Addressing these factors can help mitigate the risks associated with pregnancy complications and promote better outcomes for both the mother and the baby. The aim of this research, therefore, was to investigate and describe the patterns of acid-base status in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders in Benin City, Nigeria.


Materials and Methods


This study employed a prospective case-control design to investigate the acid-base status of pregnant women with preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), and normotensive controls. The study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Central Hospital, and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 190 pregnant women were recruited for this study. Blood pressure determination and urinalysis were necessary to divide the study participants into proeeclampsia, PIH and normotensive. Blood samples were collected for analysis of plasma lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, and bicarbonate levels to determine acid-base status. The study excluded women with maternal illnesses, multiple pregnancies, and gestational age <28 weeks.


Results


Results indicated that there were no significant differences in lactate as well as plasma bicarbonate levels among the preeclamptic, PIH and normotensive groups. However, the incidence of pregnancy induced hypertension elevated the Lactate dehydrogenase. The acid-base analytes (lactate, plasma bicarbonate, and LDH) did not show significant differences between mild and severe preeclampsia cases.


Conclusion


Notably, the findings revealed a discordant pattern, where a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activity was not paralleled by a corresponding elevation in lactate levels, indicating a potential disconnect between LDH enzyme activity and lactate production in the study population.


Keywords: Lactate, Plasma bicarbonate, Lactate dehydrogenase, Acid-base status