FETOMATERNAL OUTCOMES OF PREGNANCY IN WOMEN WITH SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA WITH RAISED LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the fetomaternal outcomes in women with severe preeclampsia having raised lactate dehydrogenase levels. Study Design: Descriptive study. Duration and Place of Study: Conducted from 15 January 2026 to 15 April 2026 at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PAF Hospital Sargodha. Methodology: A total of 245 pregnant women aged 18–40 years with severe preeclampsia and raised lactate dehydrogenase were included. Fetomaternal outcomes including abruptio placentae, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, low Apgar score, low birth weight and neonatal intensive care unit admission were assessed. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26. Mean ± standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables and frequency with percentage for categorical variables. Post stratification chi-square test and Fischer exact test was applied and p value ≤0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Mean age was 26.84 ± 6.08 years and mean gestational age was 36.09 ± 3.20 weeks. Majority patients were from rural area 138 (56.3%). Abruptio placentae was seen in 16 (6.5%), preterm delivery in 67 (27.3%), intrauterine growth restriction in 57 (23.3%), low Apgar score in 49 (20.0%), low birth weight in 72 (29.4%) and neonatal intensive care unit admission in 69 (28.2%). Significant association was observed between lactate dehydrogenase and abruptio placentae (p<0.001) and low Apgar score (p=0.047) while intrauterine growth restriction was significantly associated with age (p=0.021). Conclusion: Severe preeclampsia with raised lactate dehydrogenase is associated with increased adverse fetomaternal outcome and reflects disease severity.