Plasma urate, urea and creatinine levels during pregnancy and after the puerperium in normal primigravid Nigerians.

Plasma concentrations of urea, uric acid and creatinine were measured in 55 normal primigravid Nigerians during pregnancy and 6 weeks after delivery. Plasma urate concentrations were lowest in early pregnancy and increased with advancing gestation, achieving the highest values in the postnatal period. These findings are similar to those reported for European women. Plasma urea rose during the second trimester, fell in the third to almost first trimester levels and rose again in the postnatal period. Plasma creatinine generally followed the same pattern as urea. It is suggested that these changes are a reflection of fluid distribution rather than a change in urea and creatinine production. An improved nutritional status may explain the urea values which are higher than previously reported in African women.