One example of secondary hyperuricemia is which condition?

• A. Toxemia of pregnancy
• B. Gout
• C. Tumor Lysis Syndrome
• D. Hyperuricemia of dehydration

Answer: (A)

Secondary hyperuricemia happens when another condition causes uric acid to rise, either by increasing its production or, more often, by reducing its clearance. Toxemia of pregnancy, especially in preeclampsia, fits this pattern because diminished renal perfusion and reduced glomerular filtration rate decrease the kidney’s ability to excrete uric acid. The result is a higher serum uric acid level that accompanies the pregnancy complication. This rise in uric acid is a common finding and helps reflect the severity of the condition.

Other scenarios can also raise uric acid, but they reflect different contexts. Gout is typically a primary problem with uric acid handling rather than a secondary effect of another disease. Tumor lysis syndrome causes a massive surge in uric acid due to rapid cell breakdown, which is a different clinical situation. Dehydration reduces kidney perfusion as well, leading to secondary hyperuricemia, but toxemia of pregnancy is a classic textbook example illustrating the concept in the obstetric setting.