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Pancreatic enzyme activity in pregnancy
S A Ordorica1, F J Frieden, F Marks
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|May 1, 1991
Summary
Pregnancy does not significantly alter serum amylase, serum lipase, or amylase:creatinine clearance ratio (Cam:Ccr%) levels. However, Cam:Ccr% shows a slight increase in the third trimester, crucial for diagnosing pancreatitis in pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Medical diagnostics
- Biochemistry
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Serum amylase and amylase:creatinine clearance ratio (Cam:Ccr%) are key pancreatitis indicators.
- Conflicting data exists regarding pregnancy's effect on these markers.
- No data available on pregnancy's impact on serum lipase, a sensitive pancreatitis marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pregnancy and gestational age effects on serum amylase, serum lipase, and Cam:Ccr%.
- To establish normal reference values for pancreatitis diagnosis in pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Serum amylase, serum lipase, and Cam:Ccr% were measured.
- Study included 175 pregnant women (5-40 weeks gestation) and 44 nonpregnant controls.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in serum amylase or serum lipase between pregnant and nonpregnant women.
- Serum amylase, serum lipase, and Cam:Ccr% showed no significant variation with gestational age.
- A small, statistically significant increase in Cam:Ccr% was observed in the third trimester.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy does not significantly alter serum amylase or serum lipase levels.
- Established reference ranges for these markers are applicable to pregnant women.
- The third-trimester increase in Cam:Ccr% warrants consideration in pancreatitis diagnosis during late pregnancy.