Prediction of preeclampsia based on blood lead levels in early pregnancy

Preeclampsia is the most prevalent complication of pregnancy. Considering its importance and inexistency of inevitable affecting factors، this study was performed to assess the predictive value of early pregnancy blood lead levels in preeclampsia occurrence.

This longitudinal (prospective) study was conducted on 1033 pregnant women visiting medical universities'' prenatal centers in Tehran. A general demographic and reproductive history questionnaire was completed and a venous blood sample was taken from all participants upon entry. Preeclampsia was defined as blood pressure equal to or more than 140. 90mmHg، along with protenuria after 20th week of pregnancy. Data was analyzed by SPSS16 software using، Man-Whitney U، logistic regression and ROC curve analysis.

In the present study، the incidence of preeclampsia was 1. 9%. Mean level of maternal blood lead was 4. 7±4. 9 µg/dl. There was a significant relationship between maternal blood lead levels and preeclampsia (P>0. 001(and with the cut-off point of blood lead level at 5 µg/dl، the sensitivity، specificity، negative predictive value and positive predictive value for the occurrence of preeclampsia were: 85%، 70. 5%، 99. 6% and 5. 4% respectively.

Results showed that maternal blood lead of 5 mg/dl or higher in early pregnancy could result in preeclampsia with high sensitivity. Early pregnancy maternal lead levels had a rather acceptable sensitivity and very high negative predictive value in preeclampsia occurrence.