The Purpose of the Research:
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of blood on the protein to creatine (PC)
ratio in pregnant patients.
The Scientific or Scholarly Rationale:
The PC ratio is used to diagnosis proteinuria in pregnancy. It is thought that blood in the
urine will cause the PC ratio to be elevated but there are no current studies to prove this
hypothesis.
The Procedures to be Performed:
Upon presentation to the Labor and Delivery Triage or the Antepartum Unit, patients will be
enrolled in the study. Urine collection that is not needed for medical workup will be
collected and saved, and an extra 8 mLs of blood will be drawn during routine lab collection
by phlebotomy team. Additional lab costs will be covered by Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Lab protocol: Divide urine into 4 different specimen cups with 20 mLs of urine each to
measure urinalysis (UA) and PC ratio:
UA and PC ratio on original sample
UA and PC ratio with 1 mL of whole blood added
UA and PC ratio with 2 mL of whole blood added
UA and PC ratio with 5 mL of whole blood added
Subjects medical records will be reviewed for past obstetrical history after consent to be in
the study.
The Risks and Potential Benefits of the Research:
Risks: 8 mLs of additional maternal blood will be drawn for study purposes. Possible risks
could include pain, bleeding, fainting, bruising, infection, or hematoma (blood clot under
the skin) at the injection site. Please note that routine blood would be drawn regardless of
study enrollment.
Benefits: Our hypothesis is that the PC ratio will be elevated by contamination with blood.
It is unknown if this hypothesis is correct.
Complete Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria (may be submitted separately if extensive):
Inclusion criteria includes patients presenting to Labor and Delivery Triage or Antepartum
Unit at Cabell Huntington Hospital between the ages of 18 and approximately 45 years and
gestational age of >20 weeks.
Exclusion criteria includes pre-existing proteinuria (excess protein in the urine) or
hematuria (blood in the urine).