Intravascular Mass of Albumin in Pre-eclampsia and Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

The average intravascular mass of albumin (IVM) in 11 normal nonpregnant women was 119 g, in 20 normal pregnants 131 g and in 19 pre-eclamptics 98 g. According to the present study the IVM of normal pregnants was not different from that of nonpregnants. Therefore, dilution can explain the low concentration of serum albumin. In pre-eclampsia IVM was significantly lower than in both the nonpregnant controls (P<0.02) and normal pregnants (P<0.001). Consequently additional factors besides dilution must be involved.

Key Words:

• Albumins
• blood volume determination
• iodine isotopes
• pregnancy
• pregnancy toxemias