ECLAMPSIA .2. CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF LABORATORY FINDINGS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (2) , 153-157
Abstract
Sixty-seven cases of eclampsia were managed between Aug. 1977 and July 1980. Routinely acquired laboratory tests of these cases were analyzed. The group of patients with eclampsia was compared with 24 healthy pregnant women. There was no significant difference in platelet count, serum fibrinogen and bilirubin values. The activated partial thromboplastin time was abnormal in 42% of patients with eclampsia. There was no clinical evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in any patient. Patients with eclampsia had abnormalities of lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, SGOT [serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase], uric acid, BUN [blood urea nitrogen] and creatinine. In any individual patient there was no single test of great clinical usefulness and no test predictive of maternal or fetal outcome. Complete blood count (including blood smear and platelet count), clot observation and serum creatinine tests are recommended. Liver function tests are reserved for the patient with upper abdominal pain. Additional tests are recommended if the diagnosis of eclampsia is questionable or if an additional disease process is suspected.