MEASUREMENT OF PLASMA TOTAL PROTEIN, ALBUMIN AND UREA IN HEALTHY SUDANESE PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is characterized by extensive maternal physiological adjustments involving a variety of metabolic processes. These characteristic changes are often reflecting in the results of laboratory tests, such that value in healthy pregnant women may fall outside the normal ranges of non-pregnant women. This study aimed to assess the concentration of serum total protein, albumin and blood urea among Sudanese pregnant women during the three trimesters and to compare them with non-pregnant women’s. Methods: Case control study conducted during the period from January to March 2014 to compare serum levels of total protein, albumin and urea of 80 pregnant women (18 at 1st trimester, 23 at 2nd trimester and 39 at 3rd trimester) with 20 healthy non pregnant women. Results: Means of serum levels of total protein in the 1st trimester showed no significance comparing to control group, while serum albumin and urea levels significantly decreased. In second and the third trimesters all total protein, albumin and urea were significantly decreased compared to control group. Conclusion: Total protein, serum albumin and blood urea were altered during the pregnancy period compared to non-pregnant women but not to the levels of abnormality.