Publication: Microalbuminuria as a Predictor of Pre-eclampsia in Pregnant Women Presenting in the Antenatal Clinic at Dhulikhel Hospital
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Pre-eclampsia is described as a pregnancy-specific syndrome that can affect virtually
every organ system. The appearance of proteinuria remains an important diagnostic
criterion. Proteinuria is an objective marker and reflects system-wide endothelial
leak, which characterizes the pre-eclampsia syndrome.
Objective
To determine protein values using the spot urinary albumin/creatinine ratio amongst
the pregnant women and to identify whether this test can be used as the investigation
of choice for predicting pre-eclampsia in near future.
Method
A hospital based observational cross-sectional study conducted from February 2016
to August 2017. The study included pregnant women from 20-28 weeks of gestation.
They were tested for spot urinary albumin and creatinine. They were all followed up
till term, delivery and post partum.
Result
The mean age of the study patients was 28 years (N+335), the most common age
group being 25 to 29 years (43.6%). Pregnant women with higher values of urinary
albumin/creatinine ratio were found to develop hypertension compared to women
with normal values of urinary albumin/creatinine ratio in the third trimester with
insignificant difference (p < 0.283) statistically.
Conclusion
Microalbuminuria is one of the predictor of pre-eclampsia however it cannot be used
as routine investigation for predicting pre-eclampsia in future; further studies in large
scales are needed to prove whether urinary albumin/creatinine ratio can be utilized
as predictor for pre-eclampsia or not.
KEY WORDS
Albumin creatinine ratio, Hypertension, Microalbuminuria, Pre-eclampsia
Description
Dongol A,1 Timilsina N,1 Bastakoti R,1 Bhatta RD,2 Risal P2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2Department of Biochemistry
Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital,
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
Keywords
Albumin creatinine ratio, Hypertension, Microalbuminuria, Pre-eclampsia