Maternal Serum Copeptin for Early Prediction of Preeclampsia

Abstract
Background: Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy however there is no single predictor of pre-eclampsia among women at either low or increased risk of pre-eclampsia. The increased maternal levels of copeptin may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclmapsia and may be useful in the assessment of the severity of the disease.
Aim of the Work: The aim of this work is to study the value of maternal serum copeptin level measured during the first trimester of pregnancy in the prediction of preeclampsia.
Patients and Methods: An observational prospective study includes 80 primigravidae with singleton pregnancy and gestation 11-13 weeks and Copeptin was measured using the BRAHMS Immunoluminometric Assay (Thermo Scientific). Copeptin, a surrogate marker of vasopressin, has been asso-ciated with a decline in renal function and may be a useful alternative biomarker for Preeclampsia (PE).
Results: The maternal Serum copeptin was significantly higher in cases who later developed preeclampsia and is more higher in severe cases (13.64±3.02) than mild cases of preec-lampsia. (7.27±1.40) compared to the normal group (4.66±1.24) (p-value=<0.001). The specificity was 92% and sensitivity of the test was 88%.
Conclusion: Serum copeptin is higher as early as 13 weeks gestation in women who later developed pre-eclampsia than in cases who remained normotensive till full term and delivery, and is more higher in severe cases than mild cases of preec-lampsia.