During the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, the plasma protein concentration reduced as a result of the increased plasma volume. This leads to lowered osmotic pressure contributing to edema of the lower limbs seen in late pregnancy.
Important -
Plasma protein concentration falls from 7 gm% to 6 gm% due to hemodilusion. This result in diminished viscosity of the blood and reduce colloid osmotic tension because of marked fall in albumin level from 4.3 gm% to 3 gm%, a fall about 30%. And only slight rise of globulin (mainly alpha-globulin).
Plasma protein changes -
Non
Pregnant
|
Pregnancy
Near Term
|
Changes
| |
Total
protein (gm)
|
180
|
230
|
Increased
|
Plasma protine
concentration (gm/100ml)
|
7
|
6
|
Decreased
|
Albumin
(gm/100ml) |
4.3
|
3
|
Decreased
|
Globulin
(gm/100ml) |
2.7
|
3
|
Slightly
Increased
|
Albumin : Globulin
|
1.7 :
1
|
1 : 1
|
Decreased
|
