Relationship and Clinical Significance of Urine Protein between Serum Albumin Level in Pregnacy Induced Hypertension

Kim, K H; Kim, H W; Ryu, M K; Koh, E M; Lee, K H; Park, M C; Lee, Y W

Abstract

Maternal urine protein and serum albumin levels were studied in 288 cases of PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) who were admitted to department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University for the period of 5 years from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1994. Serum albumin levels were decreased in PIH, compared with normal pregnancy. Urine protein and serum albumin levels were correlated with severity of preeclampsia but not with eclampsia. Urine protein levels were also positively correlated with serum albumin in PIH. Although the results of this study was not statistically significant, the degree of proteinuria was highest in severe preeclampsia and the level of serum albumin was lowest in eclampsia. These observations suggest that not only the proteinuria but also the serum albumin level should be considered when predicting the severity of PIH. In addition, hypoalbuminemia might be developed mainly due to urinary albumin loss in preeclampsia, but other pathophysiological factors seems to be involved in pathogenesis of proteinuria in eclampsia.