Prevalence of Hypoproteinemia and Hypoalbuminemia in Pregnant Women from Three Different Socioeconomic Populations

Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino, M. Teresa Agulló-Ortuño, Mercedes de Dios-Aguado, M. Idoia Ugarte-Gurrutxaga and Carmen Bouzas-Mosquera
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Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino: Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
M. Teresa Agulló-Ortuño: Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
Mercedes de Dios-Aguado: Primary Health Care Center, Servicio de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM), 45313 Toledo, Spain
M. Idoia Ugarte-Gurrutxaga: Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
Carmen Bouzas-Mosquera: Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 45071 Toledo, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-10

Abstract: Protein requirements of pregnant women are increased due to anatomical and physiological changes. However, optimal levels of plasma proteins do not receive adequate attention from health professionals and researchers. We aimed to evaluate the plasma protein status in pregnant women receiving care at health centers, with the intention of identifying potential deficiency states and their relationship with quality of life during pregnancy. This is a population-based, prospective, and observational study among a cohort of 215 pregnant women from three different socioeconomic areas (urban, semi-urban, and rural). Blood samples in the first (T1), second (T2), and third (T3) trimester of pregnancy were obtained to quantify the proteins and albumin levels. Statically significant differences regarding the age of pregnant women ( p = 0.002), education status ( p = 0.034), and socioeconomic level ( p = 0.000), were found among groups. Prevalence of protein and albumin deficits was much higher in women from rural and semi-urban areas than in women from urban areas ( p = 0.001). Moreover, these deficits were associated with the appearance of edema. Plasma total protein deficit could be an undervalued public health problem in pregnant women receiving prenatal care that could affect the quality of life in the gestational period. It would be important to establish reference intervals for plasma protein monitoring in each trimester of pregnancy, and protein levels should be measured routinely throughout pregnancy.

Keywords: pregnancy; plasma proteins; primary care; women’s health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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