fa Original Article Original Article <strong>Background: </strong>Pre-eclampsia, a vascular disorder of pregnancy, is a leading cause of maternal morbidity as well as perinatal morbidity and mortality. The cause of pre-eclampsia remains largely unknown. Accumulating evidences from clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that diffuse endothelial dysfunction, resulting from oxidative stress, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Independent effect of maternal biological markers, such as elevated triglyceride or low plasma vitamin C (ascorbic acid) concentrations are related to increased pre-eclampsia risk.<br> <strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to determine plasma concentrations of vitamin C in women with pre-eclampsia.<br> <strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional, case controlled study comprises 40 pre-eclamptic and 80 normo-tensive pregnant women of singleton gestations in third trimester, in Allavi Hospital, Ardabil, Iran. Blood samples (5ml) were collected aseptically in heparin tube, and the plasma concentration of vitamin C was determined by spectrophotometric method . SPSS software package was used for analyzing the data.<br> <strong>Results:</strong>&nbsp;Plasma vitamin C level was found to be significantly lower (p<0.001) in the pre-eclampsia group than this level in the control group. Vitamin C levels in the pre-eclampsia group were found to be influenced by their maternal age (p<0.01), and was positively related to the gestational age (p<0.01).<br> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Knowledge from this study may contribute to the development and evaluation of behavioral and medical interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia, Pregnancy, Vitamin C 35 39 http://ijrm.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-549-318&slc_lang=fa&sid=1 Mohammad Hossein Dehghan mh.dehghan@arums.ac.ir Yes Department of Biochemistry, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Robabeh Dehghanan No Ardabil Educational Organization, Ardabil, Iran