OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between serum total protein (TP) levels and maternal/neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: TP was measured at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery in 94 women with singleton pregnancies and preeclampsia as hypertension with proteinuria who delivered at ≥ 22 gestational weeks (GWs). As a control group, measurements were also made in 188 women with singleton pregnancies without hypertension and/or proteinuria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relationship between serum TP levels and maternal outcomes. RESULTS: Serum TP levels showed a significantly negative relationship with urine protein-to-creatinine (P/C) ratio at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery. Serum TP levels at delivery in the preeclampsia group (53 ± 7 g/L) were lower than in the control group (61 ± 4 g/L, P < 0.0001). In each group, there was no relationship between the daily decrease in TP and the daily increase maternal body weight. However, there was a positive relationship between the daily increase in P/C ratio and the daily increase in maternal body weight in the preeclampsia group (P = 0.0021). Severe hypoproteinemia at preeclampsia diagnosis was a predictor of abruptio placentae (TP < 49 g/L; odds ratio, 21.3) and peripartum cardiomyopathy (TP < 45 g/L; odds ratio, 43.5). Furthermore, women with severe hypoproteinemia at delivery had higher morbidity due to pulmonary edema (TP < 55 g/L; odds ratio, 26.4) and central serous chorioretinopathy (TP < 42 g/L; odds ratio, 264). CONCLUSIONS: Serum TP levels and proteinuria severity at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery showed a positive relationship and predicted poor maternal outcome.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between serum total protein (TP) levels and maternal/neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN:TP was measured at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery in 94 women with singleton pregnancies and preeclampsia as hypertension with proteinuria who delivered at ≥ 22 gestational weeks (GWs). As a control group, measurements were also made in 188 women with singleton pregnancies without hypertension and/or proteinuria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relationship between serum TP levels and maternal outcomes. RESULTS: Serum TP levels showed a significantly negative relationship with urine protein-to-creatinine (P/C) ratio at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery. Serum TP levels at delivery in the preeclampsia group (53 ± 7 g/L) were lower than in the control group (61 ± 4 g/L, P < 0.0001). In each group, there was no relationship between the daily decrease in TP and the daily increase maternal body weight. However, there was a positive relationship between the daily increase in P/C ratio and the daily increase in maternal body weight in the preeclampsia group (P = 0.0021). Severe hypoproteinemia at preeclampsia diagnosis was a predictor of abruptio placentae (TP < 49 g/L; odds ratio, 21.3) and peripartum cardiomyopathy (TP < 45 g/L; odds ratio, 43.5). Furthermore, women with severe hypoproteinemia at delivery had higher morbidity due to pulmonary edema (TP < 55 g/L; odds ratio, 26.4) and central serous chorioretinopathy (TP < 42 g/L; odds ratio, 264). CONCLUSIONS: Serum TP levels and proteinuria severity at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery showed a positive relationship and predicted poor maternal outcome.