TEALE FENNING

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject: ESR level in pregnancy

True or False

The ESR level increases in pregnancy?

bronwyn · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject:

True I think.
Did you know "The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was first developed as a pregnancy test in the early 1900's. As such it was not a very reliable test but was then shown to have value as a non-specific marker of illness." Laughing

A 2001, published in BJOG, looked at ESR ranges in healthy pregnant women [3]. They reported the following results and conclusions:

“RESULTS: For 1,019 women examined, the range of erythrocyte sedimentation rate values obtained was 4-112 mm/ h. Gestational age and haemoglobin concentration both significantly influenced erythrocyte sedimentation rate. (P < 0.0001). For non-anaemic women the 95% reference range rose from 18-48 mm/h in the first half of pregnancy to 30-70 mm/h in the second half of pregnancy. For anaemic women the corresponding reference ranges were 21-62 mm/h and 40-95 mm/h, respectively.

CONCLUSION: For the correct interpretation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate values obtained during pregnancy gestational age and haemoglobin concentration must be taken into account.”
_________________
Bronwyn Bell
SpR
Portsmouth

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:15 pm Post subject:

Ha ha

Look at my answer!

Moderate elevation of the ESR occurs with inflammation, anaemia, infection, pregnancy, and old age.

Females tend to have a slightly higher ESR level, and menstruation and pregnancy can cause temporary elevations.

An article published in the BJOG in 2001 examining ESR ranges in healthy pregnant women reported

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:19 pm Post subject:

Other facts about the ESR ...

The ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) are both non-specific markers of inflammation.

The ESR does not change as rapidly the CRP, either at the start of inflammation or as it goes away.

CRP is not affected by as many other factors as is ESR, making it a better marker of some types of inflammation.

However, the ESR still has an important role as it is a cheap and easily performed screening test for inflammation.

The ESR is increased by dextran, methyldopa, oral contraceptives, penicillamine procainamide, theophylline, and vitamin A

The ESR is reduced by aspirin, steroids, and quinine (think anti-inflammatories)

EMAK · Century Club Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 572

May I contribute with this:

** Any condition that increases fibrinogen levels like pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal failure, heart disease, collagen vascular diseases, malignancy etc. may raise the ESR.

NORMAL VALUES:
Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr.

Men over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr.

Women under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr.

Women over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr.

Newborn: 0 to 2 mm/hr.

Neonatal to puberty: 3 to 13 mm/hr.

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject:

mridulaben · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:26 am Post subject:

Oh!! too much of information, many of the facts i was not aware of.
Thanks.