Beta-thromboglobulin in pre-eclampsia

Beta-thromboglobulin was tested in blood and urine in a study group of pre-eclamptic patients. The control group comprised a subgroup of normal non-pregnant women and a second subgroup of normal pregnant women. The results of the plasma beta-thromboglobulin blood test revealed no significant difference between the groups, whereas the urine of the pre-eclamptic group showed a significantly increased concentration of beta-thromboglobulin. This difference may reflect renal involvement in the pre-eclamptic patients; the turnover of platelets may be increased but the plasma level of beta-thromboglobulin is apparently maintained by the increased renal clearance.