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A Reappraisal of Urinary Oestriol Excretion as a Screening Test in Pregnancy 6
Author(s) -
Beischer Norman A.,
Parkinson Patricia,
Walstab Janet
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1987.tb00927.x
Subject(s) - excretion , growth retardation , estriol , medicine , urinary system , perinatal mortality , fetus , fetal death , obstetrics , endocrinology , physiology , pregnancy , biology , estrogen , genetics
Summary: During the years 1971–1982 urinary oestriol excretion was tested in 38,536 patients (group 1). One or more low oestriol value was found in 11.0% of patients; in this group the stillbirth rate was 8 times higher, the neonatal death rate 4 times higher, and fetal growth retardation rate 4 times higher than in patients with normal oestriol values (all p < 0.001). During the years 1982–1984 a further 12,887 patients were tested (group 2) and 9.5% had one or more low oestriol value. The perinatal mortality rate in patients with normal oestriol excretion fell from 0.8% in group 1 to 0.5% in group 2 (p < 0.05), and in patients with low oestriol excretion from 4.7% in group 1 to 2.4% in group 2 (p < 0.01). However, patients in group 2 with low oestriol values still had significantly unfavourable results, compared to those with normal oestriol values — stillbirth rate 4 times higher, neonatal death rate 5 times higher, and fetal growth retardation rate 4 times higher (all p< 0.001). Although perinatal results have improved, fetal growth retardation and the risk of perinatal death are still identified by urinary oestriol assay.