[Enzyme immunoassay measurement of estrogens in EPH gestoses (author's transl)]

Investigations were made in 312 healthy gravidas, from 20 to 40 weeks of gestation, in order to establish normal values of serum and urinary estrogens. The study also included 210 gravidas with EPH gestosis classified into three groups according to symptomatology: mild EPH gestosis (98), moderate EPH gestosis (70), and severe EPH gestosis (42). Mild cases did not show any significant deviations from normal serum and urinary estrogen values. Moderate cases were found to have serum estrogen values considerably below the urinary values, and with significant deviations from the normal values. Extremely low values of serum and urinary estrogens were found in severe EPH gestoses. These pregnancies ended unfavourably. Estrogen levels in every form of EPH gestosis reflect the functional state of the feto-placental unit and the degree of fetal risk within this integrated system.