Hypoproteinemia as a parameter of poor perinatal/neonatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia diagnosed as hypertension plus proteinuria

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.