Maternal hematocrit and albumin as predictors of intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if maternal hematocrit and serum albumin can predict intrauterine growth retardation and/or preterm delivery.


METHODS
Analyses were performed during each trimester of pregnancy to evaluate the predictive value of these two common laboratory parameters as predictors of intrauterine growth retardation and/or prematurity.


RESULTS
1468 women participated in the study. Intrauterine growth retardation occurred in 9.9% and preterm delivery in 6.1%. A significant inverse correlation between hematocrit and albumin and birth weight was found (r = -0.005, p = 0.04, and r = -0.07, p = 0.007, respectively), albumin being a stronger predictor as demonstrated by multiple regression. Low hematocrit at the third visit was associated with a longer pregnancy duration (r = -0.06, p = 0.02). Woman with higher serum albumin levels at the second visit, had a longer pregnancy duration, possibly reflecting a better nutritional status (r = 0.057, p = 0.03). To determine the predictive value of hematocrit and serum albumin, the prevalence of intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery in the highest quartiles were compared with the lowest, and no significant differences were observed (p > 0.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal hematocrit and serum albumin concentration cannot be used as useful predictors of intrauterine growth retardation or preterm delivery.
Forest
J C
JC
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Canada. JCForest@bcx.ulaval.ca
Massé
J
J
Moutquin
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin