Second trimester amniotic fluid uric acid, potassium, and cysteine to methionine ratio levels as possible signs of early preeclampsia: A case report

Abstract

Objective: The precise etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) still remains enigmatic. In recent published work, there is a scientific trend aiming to unveil early biomarkers of PE based on amniotic fluid compositional changes before the development of clinical symptoms. Case Report: We describe a case of an apparently clinically healthy woman, whose amniotic fluid, retrieved after amniocentesis at 222/7 gestational week, had elevated uric acid and potassium concentration, as well as cysteine to methionine ratio. At the time of amniocentesis, conventional clinical signs of PE were absent. The woman developed severe PE and intrauterine growth restriction, at the 280/7 week of gestation. Conclusion: Although the limitation of such studies lies in the fact that amniocentesis is an invasive procedure, and thus employed only under specific indications, our scientific observations might be useful for future research towards unraveling the causes of PE.

Keywords

• amniotic fluid
• methionine metabolism
• potassium
• preeclampsia
• uric acid