Effect of pregnancy on the level of hormones and biochemical analytes

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on a group of health pregnant Saudi females to determine the changes taking place during different trimesters in the values of biochemical analyses, human placental lactogen and estriol. The hormones were analyzed by radiommunoassay and 18 biochemical analytes were estimated using Technico autoanalyzers SMAC and SMA-12. The results were grouped according to the trimesters, and mean and standard deviation obtained. The mean for each parameter in different trimesters was compared to the mean obtained in nonpregnant health Saudi females of the same used as controls. Alkaline phosphates, cholesterol and triglyceride increased almost one and one-half to three times the nonpregnant value while protein, albumin, bilirubin, creatinine, urea and calcium showed a decrease with gestational age. The values of electrolytes and transaminases showed fluctuations but no significant change. This study showed that normal ranges for different parameters during different stages of pregnancy established of Saudi females should be used for clinical decision making, and that normal ranges established for the Western population should be avoided since several differences are encountered between these populations