Inadequacy of Dipstick Proteinuria in Hypertensive Pregnancy: Evidence for a change to alternatives.
BACKGROUND
The presence of proteinuria in pregnancy induced hypertension has been shown to increase maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Hence early and accurate screening for proteinuria with prompt management holds one of the keys to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the options for detection of proteinuria in hypertensive pregnancy available to the obstetrician in the light of current evidence in literature. METHOD OF LITERATURE SEARCH: A review of journal articles identified through a search of the following electronic databases: Medline, Cinahl, Biomed Central and Ajol.


CONCLUSIONS
There is overwhelming evidence that urinary dipstick results correlate poorly with 24-hour urinary protein excretion values in pregnant women with hypertension. In the light of current evidence, the random urine protein:creatinine ratio quantitatively or test strips offers the best option for screening for proteinuria in hypertension in pregnancy.
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria E-mail: petedidi2000@yahoo.co.uk.
D003404:Creatinine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000652:urine; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011507:Proteinuria; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016482:Urinalysis
D003404:Creatinine