Which of the following confirms the diagnosis of proteinuria in a pregnant woman being evaluated for pre-eclampsia?
- A Protein excretion of 150 mg in a 24-hour urine collection
- B Persistent 1+ proteinuria on dipstick in the absence of urinary infection
- C Protein excretion of 300 mg in a 24-hour urine collection ✓
- D Urine protein/creatinine ratio of 0.15
Correct answer: C. Protein excretion of 300 mg in a 24-hour urine collection
Explanation
Pre-eclampsia is defined by new-onset proteinuria of at least 300 mg per 24 hours, equivalent to a protein/creatinine ratio of at least 0.3 or 2+ on dipstick when other methods are unavailable. A 24-hour excretion of 150 mg is the upper limit of normal in pregnancy and does not meet the threshold. Dipstick alone is unreliable because it is affected by hydration, pH, and concentration of the sample.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.