Urinary excretion rates of calcium and magnesium in normal and complicated pregnancies.

In this cross-sectional study calcium and magnesium metabolism was investigated in normal pregnancies (n = 34) and pregnancies complicated by either fetal growth retardation of hypertension with or without fetal growth retardation (SGA newborns) (n = 30). Special attention has been given to the renal excretion rates of calcium and magnesium and their relationship to creatinine and sodium clearances. No differences were noted in the third trimester of pregnancy between the normal and complicated pregnancies in calcium or magnesium metabolism except for an increased serum magnesium in the SGA group.

Protein/creatinine ratio in the assessment of proteinuria during pregnancy.

Since the nature and the level of urinary protein excretion have considerable clinical implications in the course of pregnancy, the early detection of even minor degrees of hyperproteinuria is important. Quantitation of 24-h urinary protein excretion is the only definite method of establishing the presence of hyperproteinuria, but this method shows practical failures particularly in an outpatient setting. Dipstick analysis as a screening for hyperproteinuria also lacks reliability, since the normal rate of protein excretion in primigravid pregnancy has recently been shown to be less that 150 mg per day.