Detecting GD and preeclampsia. Effectiveness of routine urine screening for glucose and protein.

OBJECTIVE

To assess why urine collection and analysis for proteinuria and glycosuria is routinely performed during each antepartum visit at prenatal clinics.

STUDY DESIGN

Six hundred ten antepartum medical records were reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred nine (18%) patients had proteinuria, while 17 patients (2.8%) developed preeclampsia. Fifteen patients (2.5%) had at least one episode of glycosuria (100 mg/dL), while 11 had gestational diabetes. Of those with gestational diabetes, four (36%) had glycosuria. Of those with preeclampsia, three (17.7%) had proteinuria that preceded the finding of hypertension.

CONCLUSION

These results support our observation that routine oral 50-g glucose diabetes screening and careful monitoring of blood pressure are better screens for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. The increased patient inconvenience and clinic staffing necessary for routine urinalysis may be avoided by eliminating that ritual.