ROLE OF URINARY CALCIUM CREATININE RATIO IN PREDICTION OF PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia occurring in 6-8% of all pregnancies together with other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is the 3^rd most common cause of maternal mortality.  The present study is intended to identify at risk patients.  Methods: Serum calcium, creatinine and urinary calcium, creatinine were estimated in 25 controls and 100 study group women between 24-34 weeks of gestation.  Calcium to creatinine ratio in urine was calculated.  The patients were followed up for signs of development of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) & its relation to low urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (CCR).  Results: A calcium to creatinine ratio of 0.04 was considered as cut off for evaluation.  Out of total 125 cases, 22 had CCR £ 0.04 and of these 68.18% developed PIH later (P<0.001).  In remaining 103 patients with CCR >0.04 only 4.85% had PIH.  The sensitivity of CCR in predicting PIH is 68.18% and specificity is 95.15%.  Conclusion: The findings indicate that a low Ca/Cr ratio is an useful screening test to predict the PIH  in patients free of symptoms.