MATERNAL HEMATOCRIT AND ALBUMIN AS PREDICTORS OF INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-RETARDATION AND PRETERM DELIVERY

Objective: To determine if maternal hematocrit and serum albumin can p redict intrauterine growth retardation and/or preterm delivery. Method s: Analyses were performed during each trimester of pregnancy to evalu ate the predictive value of these two common laboratory parameters as predictors of intrauterine growth retardation and/or prematurity. Resu lts: 1468 women participated in the study. Intrauterine growth retarda tion occurred in 9.9% and preterm delivery in 6.1%. A significant inve rse correlation between hematocrit and albumin and birth weight was fo und (r = -0.005, p = 0.04, and r = -0.07, p = 0.007, respectively), al bumin being a stronger predictor as demonstrated by multiple regressio n. Low hematocrit at the third visit was associated with a longer preg nancy duration (r = -0.06, p = 0.02). Women with higher serum albumin levels at the second visit, had a longer pregnancy duration, possibly reflecting a better nutritional status (r = 0.057, p = 0.03). To deter mine the predictive Value of hematocrit and serum albumin, the prevale nce of intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery in the h ighest quartiles were compared with the lowest, and no significant dif ferences were observed (p > 0.1). Conclusion: Maternal hematocrit and serum albumin concentration cannot be used as useful predictors of int rauterine growth retardation or preterm delivery.