Abstract:
In many parts of the developing world, the urine protein heat coagulation test is routinely used to screen for proteinuria in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine whether > or =1+ on a standardised heat coagulation test reliably detects significant proteinuria and to compare it with the dipstick test for urinary protein. Heat coagulation test, dipstick test and 24-hour urine protein excretion results of 102 women were compared. > or =1+ on heat coagulation test is as sensitive and specific as > or =2+ on the dipstick test in detecting proteinuria of > or =500 mg/day. The heat coagulation test, however, is less sensitive than > or =1+ on dipstick in detecting lesser degrees of proteinuria.
