Mechanisms for reduced colloid osmotic pressure in preeclampsia

The determinants of plasma colloid osmotic pressure were studied in 32 patients with preeclampsia and their matched control subjects. Although plasma colloid osmotic pressure was significantly related to preeclampsia, its severity, and proteinuria, it was most highly correlated with an elevated fibronectin level, suggesting that endothelial injury, rather than proteinuria, is the major mechanism of reduced colloid osmotic pressure in preeclampsia.