A laboratory study of the pre-eclampsia syndrome in Yaounde, Cameroon

Objective: To study a group of patients with pre-eclampsia, to compare the findings with those of a matched group of normotensive pregnant subjects and to determine any prognostic factors which could be used for screening so as to rationalize the use of medical resources. Methods: An open prospective study of 35 patients with pre-eclampsia and 35 age-matched normotensive controls recruited from an antenatal clinic at Yaounde. We studied their clinical, haematological, biochemical and immunological profiles. Results: Compared to controls, significant differences in the patient-group were: a higher incidence of first pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, and pregnancy with a new partner together with a poorer outcome of pregnancy. Their packed cell volume and fibrogen levels were also raised. Thirty-one had thrombocytopaenia, and 32 had fibrinogen degradation products > 10 mg/l. IK (log 2) levels were raised in mothers with pre-esclampsia and their offspring, and these babies had reduced levels of IgG. Conclusions: These results confirm the poor outcome of patients with pre-eclampsia, suggest that the disease may have an immunopathogenic mechanism, and show the predictive value of the haematological changes which can be used to select patients for referral to specialised units.