Plasma level of vitamin C in women with pre-eclampsia in Ardabil, Iran

Background: Pre-eclampsia, a vascular disorder of pregnancy, is a leading cause of maternal morbidity as well as perinatal morbidity and mortality. The cause of pre-eclampsia remains largely unknown. Accumulating evidences from clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that diffuse endothelial dysfunction, resulting from oxidative stress, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Independent effect of maternal biological markers, such as elevated triglyceride or low plasma vitamin C (ascorbic acid) concentrations are related to increased pre-eclampsia risk. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine plasma concentrations of vitamin C in women with pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, case controlled study comprises 40 pre-eclamptic and 80 normo-tensive pregnant women of singleton gestations in third trimester, in Allavi Hospital, Ardabil, Iran. Blood samples (5ml) were collected aseptically in heparin tube, and the plasma concentration of vitamin C was determined by spectrophotometric method . SPSS software package was used for analyzing the data. Results: Plasma vitamin C level was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the pre-eclampsia group than this level in the control group. Vitamin C levels in the pre-eclampsia group were found to be influenced by their maternal age (p < 0.01), and was positively related to the gestational age (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Knowledge from this study may contribute to the development and evaluation of behavioral and medical interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of pre-eclampsia.