Calcium/creatinine ratio and microalbuminuria in the prediction of preeclampsia.

Eighty-eight normotensive gravid women between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation underwent urine evaluation for the presence of microalbuminuria and urinary calcium excretion (calcium/creatinine ratio). Preeclampsia subsequently developed in 83% of patients with a high level of microalbuminuria (greater than or equal to 11 micrograms/ml) and a low calcium/creatinine ratio (less than or equal to 0.04). Conversely, 94% of women who did not demonstrate high microalbuminuria and a low calcium/creatinine ratio remained normotensive at the time of delivery. These results suggest that changes in renal function are present in gravid women who are otherwise free of symptoms in whom preeclampsia will eventually develop. Testing for microalbuminuria and a calcium/creatinine ratio may be a useful screening tool in predicting the subsequent development of preeclampsia.