The prevalence of proteinuria among pregnant women as detected by a semi-quantitative method: a single center experience.

INTRODUCTION

We aimed at estimating the prevalence and the natural history of proteinuria among pregnant women attending Bakare and associates OB/GYN center, Harrisburg Pa, USA.

METHODS

We chose a simple random sample from patients who attended the center for antenatal care and reviewed their medical and obstetrical records focusing on urine dipstick testing results, blood pressure measurements and pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

The study included 202 pregnant women with no history of proteinuria. Their mean age was 27 ± 7 years (range 15-44 years). Significant proteinuria (≥ 1+ protein) was detected in 3.8%, 10.7% and 10.6% of dipstick tests performed in the first, second and third trimesters respectively. Hypertensive disorders were diagnosed in thirteen patients (6.4%); three patients had chronic hypertension, two patients had preeclampsia, two patients had preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, and six patients had gestational hypertension. Obese patients were significantly more likely to develop one of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 6.1; P = 0.04) than other patients. These disorders tended to be more common among patients who tested positive for proteinuria (≥ 1+) during the first trimester compared to patients with negative urine dipstick testing (OR 3.1; P = 0.3) but the difference was not statistically significant. Proteinuria disappeared in all patients postpartum, and none of the patients had deterioration in her kidney function.

CONCLUSION

Despite the fact that proteinuria was common in this study population, both renal and pregnancy outcomes were favorable.