Plasma Estriol in Normal and Preeclamptic Multiple Pregnancies

Abstract

Plasma estriol was measured serially in 5 patients with twin pregnancies, and in 4 patients with twin pregnancies and 1 patient with a triple pregnancy who had proteinuric preeclamptic toxemia. While the shape of the plasma estriol curve in a normal twin pregnancy is similar to that in a normal single pregnancy, the absolute values are greater. The plasma estriol curve in a multiple pregnancy with proteinuric preeclampsia is similar to the curve in a single pregnancy with proteinuric preeclampsia. It is suggested that plasma estriol estimations are a better measure of fetoplacental function than urinary assays in normal and abnormal multiple pregnancy.