Serum creatinine and uric acid levels in pregnant urban African and Caucasian women
Nduka, N.; Ekeke, G.I.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine 38(4): 386-390
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-3232 PMID: 3810842 Document Number: 273097
Serum creatinine and uric acid concentrations were determined for 117 pregnant urban African women and 109 pregnant Caucasian women covering the three trimesters of pregnancy. The creatinine levels for Caucasians rose as pregnancy progressed, exceeding the normal adult level, while that for Africans rose only slightly and only during the last trimester of pregnancy. A similar observation was made for uric acid levels except that the rise in Africans commenced earlier than it did for creatinine, commencing from about the second trimester. Also, the levels in both groups of people remained within the normal adult range. The increased levels of these non-protein nitrogen compounds during pregnancy was attributable to increased metabolism associated with the condition. The difference observed between the Caucasians and Africans was attributed to the better protein nutritional status of the former. It is suggested that the creatinine "curve" especially for the Caucasians could be utilized in the monitoring of foetal well-being.