Evaluation of maternal urinary estriol excretion as an index of foeto-placental function in toxaemia of pregnancy

ABSTRACT

This paper establishes the normal range and pattern of urinary oestriol excretion in Iraqi pregnant women and demonstrates the clinical usefulness of 24-hour urinary oestriol estimation in the assessment of foetoplacental function during pre -eclampsia of pregnancy. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, the levels of urinary oestriol was found to be significantly decreased in pre - eclampsia of pregnancy, especially in cases associated with foetal distress. Among various cut - off levels examined, the mean appeared to be the best discriminating cut - off level and should be useful for the routine screening of all pregnant women during the last trimester of pregnancy. In patients showing low urinary oestriol, higher degree of risk and having more guarded prognosis, the serial estimations of urinary oestriol appeared to be most useful in predicting the foetal status