Hypocalciuria in preeclampsia

A study of 40 pregnant women in their 3rd trimester evaluated whether alterations in serum calcium (Ca) levels or urinary Ca excretion distinguish women with preeclampsia from normal pregnant women or women with more benign forms of gestational hypertension (GH). The results indicate that Ca excretion is reduced in preeclampsia and suggest that urinary Ca excretion measurements may be useful in the differential diagnosis of GH. It was concluded that preeclampsia is associated with hypocalciuria due to tubular reabsorption of Ca.(wz)