Detection of Proteinuria in Pregnancy: Comparison of Qualitative Tests for Proteins and Dipsticks with Urinary Protein Creatinine Index
Background and Objectives: Excretion of urinary protein increases to 300 mg/d (from up to 150 mg/d) in normal pregnancy. Values above this may be due to disorders that can endanger the patient or her pregnancy. Quantitative analysis of 24-hour urine is considered the gold standard for ascertaini...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2013-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/3330/5-%206656_E(%20_%20)_PF1(%20_%20)_F(H)_PF1(VH)_PFA(H)_OLF_PFA2(H).pdf |
| Summary: | Background and Objectives: Excretion of urinary protein
increases to 300 mg/d (from up to 150 mg/d) in normal pregnancy.
Values above this may be due to disorders that can endanger
the patient or her pregnancy. Quantitative analysis of 24-hour
urine is considered the gold standard for ascertaining daily
protein excretion. Routine laboratory tests performed on spot
urine samples indicate protein concentration in the particular
sample, and can lead to diagnostic error if urine output is less
or more than 1L/d. The Protein Creatinine Index (PCI) shows
good correlation with 24-hour protein estimation. However,
PCI varies with sex and race. We have correlated the results of
qualitative estimation procedures and the dipstick values with
protein creatinine index.
Material and Methods: We measured protein and creatinine
in spot urine samples obtained from 57 pregnant and 80 non–
pregnant healthy women of 18–36 years, and calculated PCI.
We also tested the samples qualitatively for proteins by routine
tests and dipsticks.
Results: Normal range of PCI in non–pregnant women,
determined by a non–parametric method was 30–150. PCI was
increased significantly in pregnancy (maximum increase in the
third trimester). Amongst the qualitative tests, heat coagulation
test gave the lowest percentage of false positives and a slightly
higher percentage of false negatives compared to Heller’s nitric
acid and sulphosalicylic acid tests, and dipsticks.
Interpretations and Conclusions: We conclude that heat
coagulation test be used for initial screening, with PCI being
performed on all samples testing positive to rule out false
positives. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |