Calcium-to-creatinine ratio in pregnancy-induced hypertension

Objectives: Hypocalciuria has been correlated with preeclampsia. This study compared the calcium-to-creatinine ratio among the groups, and the correlation with the 24-h measurement of this ratio and a diagnosis of preeclampsia.

Study design: Case-control study including mild and severe preeclampsia, chronic hypertension and normal pregnancy.

Main outcome measurements: The calcium-to-creatinine ratio differentiates severe preeclampsia from mild preeclampsia, chronic hypertension and normal pregnancy.

Results: There were statistically significant differences between the groups when comparing severe preeclampsia and chronic hypertension, severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy, and mild and severe preeclampsia (p<0.0001). The Spearman index between the calcium-to-creatinine ratio and 24-h calciuria was 0.65 (high correlation).

Conclusions: The calcium-to-creatinine ratio can reliably estimate 24-h calciuria, differentiating severe preeclampsia from mild preeclampsia, chronic hypertension and normal pregnancy.