URINARY EXCRETION OF N-ACETYL- -D-GLUCOSAMINIDASE IN PRE-ECLAMPSIA

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is one of the commonest complications of pregnancy and a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality. Its pathogenesis is undefined. It is detected as a maternal syndrome characterized by hypertension and proteinuria 1 (Davey and MacGillivary, 1986), but it has long been clear that these and other maternal signs must be secondary to a placental problem, probably placental ischaemia (Redman, 1991 ), resulting from uteroplacental arterial insufficiency.

Numerous clinical tests have been proposed as screening tests to predict the future development of pre-eclampsia but non has proved clinically useful (Taylor et a!., 1990). No biochemical test on maternal blood or urine has been sufficiently reliable (Danforth's Ob. & Gyn., 1994).

Increase in urinary N-acetyl- -D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity has been studied to facilitate diagnosis in nephrology (Ciin. Chim. Acta, 1987). Since this is released from lysosome of renal tubules. Renal disease occur at high frequency during pregnancy. In pregnant women, apparently healthy renal disorders may be present. Thus changes in urinary NAG activity in normal pregnancy were examined.