ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to investigate maternal and fetal outcomes in patients with isolated gestational proteinuria (IGP) and identified risk factors for developing preeclampsia (PE). Material and Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted between April 2018 and January 2020 at a tertiary center. In this research, total protein levels were measured in 24-hour urine samples from second-trimester normotensive patients who exhibited proteinuria of ≥+1 on a dipstick test. Three groups were defined at the outset: Group 1 (IGP group, n=41): Pregnant women with proteinuria ≥300 mg/24-hour without hypertension. Group 2 (IGP onset PE group, n=10): Pregnant women with proteinuria ≥300 mg/24-hour who later developed hypertension. Group 3 (Control group, n=84): Pregnant women without proteinuria (<300 mg/24-hour) and hypertension during antenatal follow-up formed the control group. Maternal and neonatal outcomes of each group were compared. Results: Maternal and neonatal outcomes, including gestational age at delivery, preterm birth, delivery mode, and neonatal intensive care admissions, were similar between the IGP and control groups. The progression rate of IGP to PE was 19.6% (10/51). The overall prevalence of PE was 2.04% (195/9,520). Based on these findings, IGP was associated with a 12-fold increased risk of developing PE (OR 11.6, 95% CI 5.7-23.6; p<0.001). Additionally, younger maternal age and previous PE history were found as risk factors in the progression of IGP to PE. Conclusion: Unless hypertension develops in IGP, there is no difference between maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with IGP and healthy pregnant women.