Evaluation of the value of urinary calcium to creatinine ratio for predicting pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is one of the most serious complications in pregnancy and is one of the major causes of maternal death during pregnancy. Therefore, its prediction has special importance and many studies have been performed on different materials, which may be useful for its prediction. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the urine calcium to creatinine ratio for prediction of pre-eclampsia. A prospective cohort study was performed on 150 pregnant women who were 15-35 years old. A single urine sample was obtained at 20-24 weeks of gestation for measurement of urinary calcium and calcium to creatinine ratio. The women were followed till delivery and this ratio was compared between the women with and without pre-eclampsia. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test, Roc Curve and SPSS version 16. p value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Mean urinary calcium of pre-eclamptic women was significantly lower than normotensive women (179± 35 mg/dl vs 272± 59 mg/dl, p<0.001).Mean calcium to creatinine ratio was significantly lower in pre-eclamptic women (0.07±0.007 vs 0.16± 0.006, p<0.001).The optimal cut off point for calcium to creatinine ratio was calculated 0.071 with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 78%. Urinary calcium and calcium to creatinine ratio are lower in pre-eclamptic women and may be used as a screening test for the prediction of pre-eclampsia.