Placental function and renal tract studies in pre-eclampsia with proteinuria and long-term maternal consequences

A total of 99 patients with pre-eclampsia and proteinuria were managed conservatively between 30 and 37 weeks of gestation, based on serial urinary estriol, liquor amnii, and renal function studies. The over-all perinatal wastage was 14 per cent, but was 35 per cent in association with subnormal estriol excretion and oligohydramnios (less than 250 ml.). In severe pre-eclampsia (blood pressure greater than 170/110 mm. Hg with proteinuria greater than 5 Gm. per liter) the incidence of subnormal estriol was 73 per cent and, becuase of this and the associated maternal hazards, conservative treatment had little place. However, in less severe pre-eclampsia with proteinuria early in the third trimester, this prospective study, based on serial placental and renal function tests, showed that frequently the pregnancy could be prolonged and fetal losses due to prematurity avoided. It should be stressed that such conservative treatment should not be continued when there are strong clinical contraindications. Irrespective of the severity of the prior pre-eclampsia, it was unusual for patients to show residual hypertension, proteinuria, or abnormal pyelography at their postnatal examination. Postpartum renal biopsy showed either normal histology or regression of the classical glomerular lesion in 77 per cent of cases.