Oxford Handbook of Midwifery (96 page)

Test Non-pregnant

Pregnancy

PIH/PET

DIC Notes

Causes of abnormal result

Biochemistry

Sodium (mmol/L
^–1
) 132–144

132–144

–

– Fall to lower end of non-

Low sodium in

pregnant range. Body

hyperemesis

sodium increases in

pregnancy but levels

unchanged due to water

retention

Potassium (mmol/L
^–1
) 3.6–5.1

3.6–5.1

May (i)

– Raised levels represent

PIH, HELLP, primary renal

deterioration of renal

disease.

function

Urea (mmol/L
^–1
) 4.3 (2.5–6.6)

2.3–4.3

(i)

– Normally d due to

PIH, HELLP, primary renal

increased renal blood flow.

disease

Raised levels represent

deterioration of renal

function

Creatinine (μmol/L
^–1
) 73 (55–150)

50–73

(i)

–

Chloride (mmol/L
^–1
) 95–107

95–107

–

–

Uric acid (mmol/L
^–1
) 0.2–0.35

0.15–0.35

(i)

– Raised levels represent

PIH, HELLP, primary renal

deterioration of renal

disease.

function

Test

Non-pregnant

Pregnancy

PIH/PET

DIC

Notes

Causes of abnormal result

Liver function tests

Total protein (g/L
^–1
)

78 (60–80)

70

(d) to (d d)

–

Normally just below non-

PIH, HELLP

pregnant reference range.

Increased loss of protein

and decreased production

due to liver dysfunction in

PIH/HELLP

Albumin (g/L
^–1
)

45 (36–47)

33

(d) to (d d)

–

ALT (U/L
^–1
)

10–40

10–40

May (i)

–

Raised levels indicate

PIH, HELLP, primary liver

hepatic cellular damage.

disease

Levels slightly i post

partum

AST (U/L
^–1
)

10–35

10–35

May (i)

–

G-glutamyl transpeptidase (U/L
^–1
)

7–50

7–50

–

–

No significant change

Alcohol abuse. enzyme- inducing drugs such as

barbiturates and warfarin