Evaluation of Renal Function Parameters in Normotensive and Pre-Eclamptic Pregnant Women at Different Stages of Pregnancy

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is one of the most common causes of maternal and fetal complications in developing countries. Owing to its multisystem involvement, hypertension and proteinuria in pre-eclamptic women may lead to acute or chronic renal failure. Early diagnosis is vital to avoid this organ failure. Aims & Objectives: To assess renal function by measuring and comparing four renal function parameters including Blood urea Nitrogen (BUN),serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and 24-hr urinary protein in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy. Place and duration of study: This prospective and observational study was conducted in 2009 at Shaikh Zayed Hospital. The patients were taken from Gynae and Obstetrics OPD, with 24 weeks of gestation. Material & Methods: In this study, 25 normotensive Controls and 25 pre-eclamptic pregnant women (cases) were included. Serum and urinary samples were taken at 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks of gestation as well as at term (38 weeks). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, spot urinary protein and urinary creatinine were measured by clinical Chemistry Auto analyzer Dimension AR. Whereas, 24 hours urinary protein and creatinine clearance were calculated later. Results: BUN level of cases were significantly high as compared to controls at 32 weeks and at term (p<0.01) however creatinine clearance was found to be significantly low (p>0.05) in pre-elamptic women only at 38 weeks. Apart from other results, 24-hours urinary protein was found to be significantly high (p<0.05) in pre-eclamptic women as compared to normotensive women at all stages of pregnancy. Conclusion: Our study showed that BUN, Creatinine clearance and most importantly 24-hr urinary protein may be used to assess the renal function in relation with the severity of pre-eclampsia. Key words: Pre-eclampsia, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Proteinuria.