[The neglected control of proteinuria during pregnancy]

In two women, primigravidae aged 29 and 27 years, no dipstick test for proteinuria was carried out despite symptoms of preeclampsia at 34 5/7 and 25 5/7 weeks of pregnancy, respectively. Both babies died in utero. The women were treated in the intensive care unit; the first woman died due to 'haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count' (HELLP) syndrome, while the second woman was able to return home in a reasonable condition on antihypertensive medication. Dipstick tests for proteinuria should always be carried out in pregnant women with symptoms of preeclampsia in order to avoid the death and serious morbidity which can be associated with eclampsia.