Urinary protein excretion and expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the importance of proteinuria in the expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
In this prospective series of 340 women, 24-h urine collections were performed and monitored twice weekly in a high-care ward.


RESULTS
Seventy-four women with at least two 24-h urine collections were grouped into women with a proteinuria increase of > or =2 g (n=29) and with women whose proteinuria decreased, or increased by <2 g (n=45). Major maternal complications, prolongation of gestation, and perinatal outcomes were comparable. Fifty-six (75%) women experienced an increase in proteinuria. When patients with heavy proteinuria (n=83) were compared to those with moderate proteinuria (n=257), maternal and perinatal outcomes were comparable. More days were gained before delivery in the heavy proteinuria group than in the moderate (12 vs. 9; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients experienced increased proteinuria. Neither the rate of increase nor the amount of proteinuria affected maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Hall
D R
DR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, MRC Perinatal Mortality Research Unit, Tygerberg, South Africa. drh@sun.ac.za
Odendaal
H J
HJ
Steyn
D W
DW
Grové
D
D
D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*