AbstractObjective: To study the levels of fasting plasma insulin level in normotensive pregnant women and Pre eclamptic women. To co relate the elevation of fasting insulin levels in relation to the severity of pre-eclampsia. Design: Case control study, Setting: Father Muller Medical College Hospital. Population: 70 pre-eclamptic women as cases, 30 normotensive women as control. Methods: A case control study was conducted between August 2010 – July 2012 who satisfied the inclusion criteria.Blood samples were collected and analysed by CLIA technique for fasting plasma insulin levels among both control and cases. Results: Pre –eclamptic women had significantly higher fasting plasma insulin levels (n=70, mean 17.893) than controls (n=30, mean 2.1713µunits/ml, p = <0.001 vhs) and levels of fasting plasma insulin levels were directly proportional to the severity of the disease. (mean = 7.85 in mild PE, 21.23 in severe Preeclampsia and 29.48 in eclampsia, p < 0.001 vhs). Conclusion: Fasting plasma insulin levels are increased during the normal pregnancy with levels being maximum in third trimester. In women with pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia an exaggeration of the insulin resistance is seen with the resultant hyperinsulenemia. The results of the study also showed that hyperinsulinemia was directly proportional with the severity of the disease.
Keywords: Hyperinsulinemia; Pr–Eclampsia; Fasting Plasma Insulin Levels; Normotensives; Pregnancy