Clinical Chemistry in Pregnancy

Abstract

During pregnancy, a woman undergoes a multitude of normal physiochemical changes that are specific to pregnancy and with increasing frequency, challenged with pregnancy‐related conditions. Additionally, there are a number of problems affecting the unborn fetus that, in turn, affect normal maternal biochemistry, endocrinology and physiology. Furthermore, normal biochemical, hormonal and clinically relevant measurements for the nonpregnant state often no longer apply to the pregnant woman. This makes clinical laboratory measurement difficult and normal clinical diagnosis using nonpregnant values potentially dangerous, with inappropriate treatment (when it is not required) and no treatment (when it is required) being offered. Problems within early pregnancy, for example, spontaneous and recurrent miscarriage, thus become very complicated to predict or treat. Therefore, reexamining what clinical chemical tests are available and what is just emerging from the experimental laboratory (and thus becoming available in the standard clinical laboratory), should inform the unwary clinician. Key Concepts: ‘Normal’ pregnancy biochemical marker (Biomarker) concentrations fluctuate throughout pregnancy. No single maternal biomarker can be used to predict gestational disease. Both the concentrations of urinary, serum, plasma, salivary and amniotic fluid biomarkers and the timing of clinical sampling are critical in disease diagnosis. Many new biomarkers are emerging, which may help aid the prediction/diagnosis of pregnancy‐related conditions.

Effects of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i>L. consumption during pregnancy on biochemical parameters and litter birth weight in rats

“…Creatinine is a waste product formed in muscle by creatine metabolism. Creatine is synthesized in the liver and transported through the circulation to the muscle and brain (Taylor, 1989). Its retention in the blood is evidence of kidney impairment (Wurochekke et al, 2008).…”

Serum creatinine levels in relationship with mean platelet volume in patients with chronic kidney disease

“…Serum creatinine level increases in the conditions of significant damage to the nephrons. Therefore it is not a proper test for diagnosis of early stages of kidney failure (5). Numerous studies have evaluated the relationship between increases in serum creatinine and other indicators to find early diagnosis and treatment for CKD (6,7).…”

“…CKD leads to irreversible reduction in kidney function and in the end-stages of the disease, patients need to renal replacement therapy. Therefore, its diagnosis in the early stages, can remarkably reduce health care costs (5). MPV is one of the available tests which is affected by changes in serum creatinine.…”

Serum Creatinine in Normal Sudanese Athlets and Soldiers

“…Men tend to have higher levels of creatinine than women because, in general, they have a greater mass of skeletal muscle. Increased dietary intake of creatine or eating a lot of meat can increase daily creatinine excretion (Taylor, 1989).…”