Background & Objectives: Preeclampsia is still one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite active researches over the past many years, the etiology of this disorder in human pregnancy is an enigma. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Essential nutrients such as vitamin C can scavenge free radicals inducing cellular damage. The present study was designed to investigate the plasma levels of vitamin C in patients with preeclampsia (case) and normotensive pregnant women (control).

  Methods: In this case-control study vitamin C as an antioxidant was estimated and compared spectrophotometrically in 40 preeclamptic and 80 normotensive pregnant women referring to Alavi Hospital of Ardabil province, Iran. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

  Results: The plasma levels of vitamin C were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia (0.147 ± 0.030 mg/dl) compared to controls who were normotensive pregnants (0.347 ± 0.119 mg/dl).

  Conclusion: Attempts at prevent preeclamsia are justified but since no reliable screening test has been offered as yet for women at risk, assessment of plasma level of vitamin C in patients prone to preeclampsia is strongly suggested.

Background & Objectives: Hypertension is the most common medical problem in pregnancy, with  an incidence rate of 6-8%. The patients with preeclampsia are exposed to more maternal and fetal  complications. This requires more intensive prenatal cares. The diagnosis in early stages of disease has an important role in decreasing maternal and neonatal mortality and its comsequent complications. This study was an attempt to determine the epidemiological factors and complications of preeclampsia among patients admitted to Alavi hospital, Ardabil.

Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was conducted on 176 women with preeclampsia. The data were collected using a questionnaire and medical records of patients. These data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: 75% of the patients had severe preeclampsia and 25% had mild preedampsia. Regarding the predisposing factors, history of preeclampsia was observed in 23.1% of the cases, mother's underlying diseases in 12.5%, twin in 2.3% and hydramnios in 4%. The method of delivery in 62.5% of the cases was cesarean section. 67.6% of preeclamptic patients had maternal and fetal complications (10.2% Maternal and 57.4% fetal). The maternal complications were: abruptio placenta, (44.4%), eclampsia (22.2%) and coma (11.1%). The fetal complications were: IUGR (42.4%), prematurity (39.6%) and  IUFD (9%).

Conclusion: In this study the incidence of severe preeclampsia was higher, which may be due to insufficient prenatal cares and delay in diagnosis. Further studies about the effect of prenatal cares on pregnancy outcomes in preeclamtic women are recommended.

  Background & Objective: Preeclampsia is an unknown disease. It was seen in 3.7% of live births and it is the cause of mothers' death in 18%. In addition to complications for mothers, fetal damage have also been seen. Also we sought to consider predictors of neonatal outcome in women with preeclampsia and normal women.

  Methods: It is a prospective and cross-sectional study that was performed on 127 preeclampsia pregnant women and 254 normal pregnancy. Statistical analysis was performed by software SPSS/Win and was used X² test for analysis of the results.

  Results: Prevalence of preterm labor was 54.4% in women with preeclampsia and 25% in normal pregnancy. There was no statistical difference such as parity (P=0.157), age (P=0.256) and type of delivery (P= 0.226). There was a significant difference between two groups in gestational age (P<0.0001), birth weight (P<0.0001), neonatal mortality (P=0.013), neonatal Apgar score (P=0.005) and NICU admission (P<0.0001).

  Conclusion: It is clear that the difference between two groups is mainly because of preterm labor in preeclampsia group. Attention to exact control of illness and avoidance of making rash decision for terminating pregnancy in mild preeclampsia can improve outcomes of Neonates.

  Background & Objectives : Preeclapsmia representing as one of the most important complications of pregnancy, affects up to 8% of all pregnancies nevertheless little has been known about its etiology. It is, however, generally accepted that the pathophysiology of preeclampsia is related to systemic maternal endothelial dysfunction. Homocysteine, a cytotoxic compound, adversely affects the endothelial system. Main objective of this study was to assess plasma levels of homocysteine in women with normal pregnancies and those who suffering from preeclapsmia .

 Methods: A case –control study was designed for 165 preeclamptic patients and 165 normal cases. Controls were matched for gestational age and age of mothers. Blood samples were obtained from patients attending Alavi hospital in Ardabil (after 6-8 hour NPO). Two milliliters blood was collected in tubes containing ice bag stored ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and homocysteine level was analyzed.

 Results: Mean levels of homocysteine were elevated in the preeclamptic cases compared to control group (7.4±3.3 vs. 4.09±2.3 _mmol/l, P < 0.001) the levels of BMI and Arms sizes have been shown to be different statistically in two groups and other variables revealed no significant differences between the groups.

 Conclusion:�It is concluded that in our study homocysteine Levels, BMI and Arms sizes are signiffantly effected patients with preeclampsia compared with control group and can increase the risk of developing severe side effect to mothers and neonates.