Teasdale S, Morton A. Changes in biochemical tests in pregnancy and their clinical significance.
Obstet Med 2018;
11:160-170. [PMID:
30574177 PMCID:
PMC6295771 DOI:
10.1177/1753495x18766170]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Interpretation of laboratory investigations relies on reference intervals. Physiological changes in pregnancy may result in significant changes in normal values for many biochemical assays, and as such results may be misinterpreted as abnormal or mask a pathological state. The aims of this review are as follows: 1. To review the major physiological changes in biochemical tests in normal pregnancy. 2. To outline where these physiological changes are important in interpreting laboratory investigations in pregnancy. 3. To document the most common causes of abnormalities in biochemical tests in pregnancy, as well as important pregnancy-specific causes.
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