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Review
. 2018 Dec;11(4):160-170.
doi: 10.1177/1753495X18766170. Epub 2018 May 24.

Changes in biochemical tests in pregnancy and their clinical significance

Stephanie Teasdale  1 , Adam Morton  1
Affiliations
Review

Changes in biochemical tests in pregnancy and their clinical significance

Stephanie Teasdale et al. Obstet Med. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Interpretation of laboratory investigations relies on reference intervals. Physiological changes in pregnancy may result in significant changes in normal values for many biochemical assays, and as such results may be misinterpreted as abnormal or mask a pathological state. The aims of this review are as follows: 1. To review the major physiological changes in biochemical tests in normal pregnancy. 2. To outline where these physiological changes are important in interpreting laboratory investigations in pregnancy. 3. To document the most common causes of abnormalities in biochemical tests in pregnancy, as well as important pregnancy-specific causes.

Keywords: Endocrinology; biochemistry; pregnancy reference intervals.

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