title: Peripartum colloid osmotic pressures: correlation with serum proteins.
abstract: Colloid osmotic pressure is a principal regulator of capillary fluid exchange. Alterations in colloid osmotic pressure in preeclamptic patients, as well as significant peripartum changes in colloid osmotic pressure in normotensive patients, are reported. In a study of 72 normotensive and preeclamptic patients, peripartum colloid osmotic pressure, serum albumin, and total serum protein were compared. Both groups exhibited significantly lower colloid osmotic pressure in the postpartum period than that measured antepartum. The mean antepartum colloid osmotic pressure in preeclamptic patients was significantly lower than in normotensive subjects. Regression equations were calculated [colloid osmotic pressure = 5.21 (total serum protein) -11.4 (r2 = 0.851)] and [colloid osmotic pressure = 8.1 (serum albumin) -8.2 (r2 = 0.891)]. Within the physiologic ranges most commonly reported for normotensive and preeclamptic patients, the use of these equations allowed calculation of colloid osmotic pressure to within 10% of measured values in 75 and 80% of the cases, respectively. Where direct measurement of colloid osmotic pressure is not readily available, calculated values may be helpful in patient management.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003102:Colloids; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D003102:Colloids; D012709:Serum Albumin