Calcium excretion in preeclampsia

Article Abstract:

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that involves high blood pressure, high urinary protein levels (proteinuria) and fluid retention (edema). The kidneys increase urinary excretion of calcium during pregnancy, usually in the range of 350-620 mg per day, compared with a normal level of 100-250 mg per day. Some studies have shown that women who do not increase their calcium urine outputs to these levels during pregnancy (hypocalciuria) are more likely to develop preeclampsia. Other studies have not found this to be so. This study examined if there was a relationship between decreased calcium urinary excretions and the development of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Urine samples were collected and evaluated during pregnancy for three groups of women: 33 women with preeclampsia, 52 women with pregnancy-related high blood pressure (gestational hypertension) but no proteinuria, and 58 women with normal blood pressure. Calcium excretion was significantly lower in the preeclampsia group, averaging 129.7 mg per day compared with 283.9 mg for the group with normal blood pressure and 233.2 mg for the group with gestational hypertension. Total protein excretion was also significantly higher in the preeclamptic group. For diagnostic purposes, a calcium urine level of 12 mg/dL or less was evaluated for its ability to detect preeclampsia. For the preeclamptic patients, 28 of 33 had values below this level. Only 5 patients in the other two groups had values below this level. The sensitivity, or ability of this index to detect the condition was 85 percent, while its specificity was 91 percent, meaning that 9 percent of those with positive results might not actually have preeclampsia. These results indicate that there is a relationship between low calcium excretion levels during pregnancy and preeclampsia. Urinary calcium levels may be useful in diagnosing this disorder. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Preeclampsia, Calcium in the body, Calcium (Nutrient)

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Neonatal thrombocytopenia in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Hypertensive disorders (high blood pressure) in pregnancy are commonly associated with maternal thrombocytopenia, an abnormal decrease in the number of blood platelets, which are involved in blood clotting. The frequency of an observed association between neonatal thrombocytopenia and maternal thrombocytopenia is unknown. Intracranial bleeding can occur in the fetus with thrombocytopenia, and this should be considered when the route of delivery is being decided. A three-year study was conducted to determine the umbilical cord blood platelet counts of infants born to mothers with hypertension to identify the prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia. Cord blood samples from term and preterm infants of normotensive mothers served as controls. The platelet counts from cord blood from infants of hypertensive mothers was compared with those of the controls. Neonatal thrombocytopenia occurred in 9.2 percent of hypertensive patients, compared with 2.2 percent in infants of normotensive mothers. Preterm birth was the major risk factor for the development of neonatal thrombocytopenia; term infants of hypertensive mothers were no more likely to be thrombocytopenic than were the controls. When there are no other disease states present, thrombocytopenia alone is not a reason to consider alternative methods of delivery. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Fetal blood, Blood platelets, Thrombocytopenia

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No effect of experimental noise exposure on human pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Various studies have found that exposure to noise can cause high blood pressure, decreased heart rate, vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), and possibly low birth weights. Few studies have examined the effects noise can have on pregnancy. This study examined the effects noise had on levels of stress hormones and blood circulation in pregnant women. Noise exposure experiments were performed on 27 pregnant women, 17 with normal blood pressure and 10 with hypertension. Hormone concentrations and heart rate and blood pressure measurements were taken before and after exposure. Results showed no changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or mean arterial pressure. No changes in hormone levels were found from before to after exposure. The only parameter that changed significantly from exposure to noise was an increase in fetal heart rate in the women with normal blood pressure. This study did not find any significant adverse effects of noise exposure on pregnancy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Noise, Noise (Sound)

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