Investigations of leukocyte and inflammatory markers in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia is a frequent and potentially fatal pregnancy complication. It can be challenging to make a timely diagnosis. Identifying clinically useful biochemical markers would be a remedying tool to support the diagnosis of preeclampsia. The aim was to investigate differential cell counts and acute phase reactants as diagnostic markers of preeclamptic third-trimester pregnancies and in relation to pregnancy term, gravidity and the severity of hypertension.

METHODS: Based on a cohort of 421 pregnant women, we included 174 participants (case n = 84, control n = 90) during the third trimester. Peripheral blood was sampled to measure differential white blood cell counts and acute phase reactants on the day of inclusion.

RESULTS: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and plasma haptoglobin levels were significantly increased in healthy pregnancies compared with preeclamptic pregnancies. Plasma ferritin levels and albumin levels were respectively increased and decreased in cases of preeclampsia compared with controls. Albumin was specific among multigravida. Plasma transferrin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in cases with preterm preeclampsia compared with term preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION: Plasma ferritin and albumin levels reflected higher inflammation in cases with preeclampsia compared with healthy pregnancies; the same did plasma transferrin and hs-CRP levels in preterm versus term preeclampsia. When considering the normal ranges plasma albumin and hs-CRP levels identified preeclamptic from healthy third-trimester pregnancies and preterm from term preeclampsia cases, respectively, with near-acceptable diagnostic performances. Further validation of the diagnostic value will require larger sample-sized studies with paired plasma and serum samples.