Assesment of serum sialic acid level and sialic acid acetyl esterase gene variation in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a disease of one of the most important cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in developing and developed countries. Its etiopathogenesis hasn?t been understood clearly yet and no specific marker in its diagnosis has been found. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship of serum sialic acid (SA) level and sialic acid acetyl esterase (SIAE) gene variation in pathogenesis and severity of preeclampsia.This study was performed with 57 preeclamptic pregnant women and 50 pregnant women having no medical problems who has admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of Gaziantep University Medical Faculty between January 2008 and June 2008.Serum SA levels in preeclamptics were statistically higher than control group in patients with similar age and gestational weeks. SIAE gene variation ratio in preeclampsia was statistically higher than control group. Patients with SIAE gene variation had significantly higher proteinuria and diastolic blood pressure.In this study, we found higher serum SA levels in preeclampsia and increased preeclampsia risk 10.4 times by SIAE gene variation. These are important evidences for using serum SA and SIAE gene variation as a marker of preeclampsia when supported by further researches. Thus, there would be a chance of diagnosing and preventing preeclampsia and reducing maternal and fetal complications by measuring serum sialic acid level in 1.trimester furthermore by analysing SIAE gene in preconceptional period.Key words: Preeclampsia, Sialic acid, Sialic acid acetyl esterase gene variation