Proteinuria in preeclampsia: is it important?

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to evaluate the laboratory results and proteinuria levels of preeclamptic women and their relation-ships to maternal and fetal outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred preeclamptic pregnant women who gave birth in our clinic between 2013 and 2015 were included in our study retrospectively. The data collected from the patients included gestational week, age, gravidity, parity, abortus history, blood pressure, biochemical parameters, delivery method, maternal hospitalization time, cesarean indication, complications, blood products required, plasmapheresis use and dialysis need. The details about the newborns were recorded retrospectively. The relationships between preeclampsia signs and maternal and neonatal out-comes were analyzed. The protein amounts were analyzed via 24-hour collected urine analyses and spot urine analyses.

RESULTS: A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between neonatal intensive care unit needs and pro-teinuria levels. Fetal growth restriction, respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis were observed as the level of proteinuria increased, but the result was not statistically significant. Eclampsia was observed only in patients with massive proteinuria, and it was statistically significant. An increase in cesarean sections, placental abruptions, antihypertensive drug needs and blood product replacement rates was observed as the amount of proteinuria increased in preeclamptic women, but the results were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: The severity of preeclampsia cannot be determined by the level of proteinuria. However, when massive proteinuria is detected, the clinician should be more cautious about maternal and fetal complications.