Which laboratory abnormality is commonly seen with preeclampsia?

Which laboratory abnormality is commonly seen with preeclampsia?

• A. Increased liver enzymes
• B. Increased potassium
• C. Decreased bilirubin
• D. Decreased creatinine

Answer: (A)

Preeclampsia often involves the liver, and when the liver is affected you’ll see transaminitis—elevated liver enzymes such as AST and ALT. This hepatic involvement is a common finding, especially in more severe disease or in HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelets), where liver enzyme elevation is a key clue to hepatic stress from placental dysfunction and vasospasm. Other options don’t fit as neatly. Potassium levels aren’t a defining feature of preeclampsia and aren’t routinely elevated as a hallmark finding. Bilirubin can be normal or even elevated in HELLP due to hemolysis, so decreased bilirubin isn’t typical. Creatinine tends to rise with kidney impairment rather than decrease, reflecting associated renal involvement rather than a primary liver process. So, elevated liver enzymes best reflect the hepatic involvement commonly seen in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia often involves the liver, and when the liver is affected you’ll see transaminitis—elevated liver enzymes such as AST and ALT. This hepatic involvement is a common finding, especially in more severe disease or in HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelets), where liver enzyme elevation is a key clue to hepatic stress from placental dysfunction and vasospasm.

Other options don’t fit as neatly. Potassium levels aren’t a defining feature of preeclampsia and aren’t routinely elevated as a hallmark finding. Bilirubin can be normal or even elevated in HELLP due to hemolysis, so decreased bilirubin isn’t typical. Creatinine tends to rise with kidney impairment rather than decrease, reflecting associated renal involvement rather than a primary liver process.

So, elevated liver enzymes best reflect the hepatic involvement commonly seen in preeclampsia.