The intravascular mass of albumin during human pregnancy: a serial study in normal and diabetic women.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the changes in serum albumin during human pregnancy.


METHODS
Longitudinal prospective study.


METHODS
Before conception and antenatal clinic.


METHODS
Sixty-nine normal women and 23 women with Type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
Administration of Evans' blue dye and collection of serum samples.


METHODS
Albumin concentration, plasma volume and intravascular mass of albumin.


RESULTS
In normal subjects serum albumin concentration showed a significant decrease of 1.9 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.9) g/l by 7 weeks gestation with a further 8.2 (95% CI 7.5 to 8.9) g/l decrease by 36 weeks gestation, an overall change of 22%. Plasma volume first increased significantly by 190 (95% CI 105 to 275) ml between 7 and 12 weeks, with a further increase of 1003 (95% CI 871 to 1135) ml between 12 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, a change of 53%. The intravascular mass of albumin showed no change between non-pregnant, 7 and 12 week values but there was a significant rise of 19.5 (95% CI 15.1 to 23.9) g between 12 and 28 weeks of gestation, an overall increase of 19%. Diabetic subjects showed similar changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Rather than simply reflecting plasma volume dilution, the changes in serum albumin imply alterations in albumin metabolism during pregnancy.
Whittaker
P G
PG
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Mary Maternity Hospital, Newcastle, Tyne, UK.
Lind
T
T
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010953:Plasma Volume; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism*
D012709:Serum Albumin