THE VALUE OF ROUTINE URINE DIPSTICK SCREENING FOR PROTEIN AT EACH PRENATAL VISIT

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether dipstick urinalysis fo r protein, when performed as a routine screening test at each prenatal visit, predicts subsequent gestational outcome. STUDY DESIGN: All 321 7 low-risk obstetric patients had dipstick urinalysis for protein at e ach prenatal visit. When there were any objective findings of a possib le hypertensive disorder, the urine protein test for that visit was co nsidered an indicated diagnostic test. Otherwise it was considered a r outine screening test. Subjects were grouped according to whether thos e urine tests considered routine screening tests were positive for pro tein. The groups were then compared with regard to relevant pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the measur ed pregnancy outcomes between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In low-risk wom en with no objective signs or a possible hypertensive disorder, routin e dipstick proteinuria screening at each prenatal visit did not provid e any clinically important information regarding pregnancy outcome.