Primary Article

Urinary Estrogens During Late Pregnancy Observations on the Validity of “24‐Hour” Urine Collections and the Estrogen/Creatinine Ratio

Authors: GARY P. WOOD MD

Abstract

The determination of estriol content of the maternal urine in late pregnancy has gained widespread use as a means of assessing the fetoplacental unit. Major drawbacks have included the time lag in obtaining a 24-hour urine collection and obtaining an accurate 24-hour collection. To overcome these problems, it has been suggested that the estrogen/creatinine (E/C) ratio of incomplete collections or even random urine specimens might provide adequate information. Our analysis of these E/C ratio technics, as compared to accurate 24-hour urine estrogen values and fetal outcome, shows the E/C ratio to be less reliable and occasionally misleading.

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References