Risk Factors for Pre-Eclampsia and Proteinuria in Pregnancy
Author Information
Author(s): Macdonald-Wallis Corrie, Lawlor Debbie A., Heron Jon, Fraser Abigail, Nelson Scott M., Tilling Kate
Primary Institution: University of Bristol
Hypothesis
Isolated gestational proteinuria may represent an early manifestation of pre-eclampsia.
Conclusion
Established pre-eclampsia risk factors are related to proteinuria occurrence in late gestation in healthy term pregnancies.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with increased odds of proteinuria.
- Nulliparous women had higher odds of proteinuria onset after 37 weeks.
- Twin pregnancies had higher odds of proteinuria onset from 29 weeks.
- Smoking in pregnancy was weakly negatively associated with odds of proteinuria onset after 37 weeks.
Takeaway
Some pregnant women have protein in their urine, which can be linked to being overweight or having twins, and this might mean they are at risk for a condition called pre-eclampsia.
Methodology
Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children was analyzed using logistic regression and latent class analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on routine clinical measurements and inability to exclude other causes of proteinuria.
Limitations
The study relied on qualitative dipstick measurements of proteinuria, which are less accurate than quantitative methods.
Participant Demographics
Women with term live births, excluding those with pre-existing hypertension or diabetes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.006
Confidence Interval
(1.09, 1.55)
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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