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Original Article

Enhanced urinary albumin excretion after 35 weeks of gestation and during labour in normal pregnancy

, , , , , & show all
Pages 409-413 | Received 29 Jul 1991, Accepted 12 Jan 1992, Published online: 08 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

This study reports on the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio during normal pregnancy, with special emphasis on the pre-delivery and labour periods. Albumin was determined in single voided urine specimens obtained from healthy non-pregnant women (n = 16) and healthy pregnant women (n = 203; Groups A and B, 133 females examined during clinic visits and presentation at obstetric department; Group C, 70 females examined during labour) by radio-immunoassay (RIA). The mean ratio (±SD) for albumin/creatinine (A/Cr) in non-pregnant women was 1.46 ± 0.32 mg mmol-1 Cr. Thus, 2.10 mg mmol-1 Cr (mean + 2 SD) was considered to be the upper limit of normo-albuminuria. During pregnancy, 73% of the women (97 out of 133, Groups A and B) excreted ±2.10 mg mmol-1 Cr. During the first 35 weeks of gestation, 30 of 34 pregnant women (88%) excreted ≤2.10 mg mmol-1 Cr, the mean being 0.93 ± 0.64 mg mmol-1 Cr (median 1.0 mg mmol-1). During 36–42 weeks of gestation, the median A/Cr was 1.93 mg mmol-1 Cr (range 0.43–12.16) and 32 of 99 (32%) had values >2.10 mg mmol-1 Cr, an increase of more than two-fold (p < 0.031) compared with the first 35 weeks. During labour, 61% of non-haematuric urines (33 of 54, Group C) were >2.10 mg mmol-1 Cr, being 125% greater (p < 0.006) than that observed during pregnancy. Thus in normal pregnancy, A/Cr is increased during the late period of pregnancy and during labour.

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