English 
Italian Il ruolo del laboratorio nel monitoraggio della gravidanza fisiologica
AUTORI
1Dipartimento di Medicina (DIMED), Università di Padova, via Giustiniani 2, Padova e Dipartimento di Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda-Ospedale Università di Padova, Padova.
2Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Università di Padova, e Clinica Ostetrica Ginecologica, AziendaOspedale Università di Padova.
ABSTRACT
Laboratory tests to monitoring physiological pregnancy.
A series of profound physiological changes happen during pregnancy in women body, mainly to facilitate the proper growth and development of the embryo and fetus. These changes include any organ and system in the body, causing hormonal and metabolic modifications and plasma volume increase. In the clinical laboratory the measurement of several biological constituents simultaneously is possible and, hence, laboratory tests play an essential role in monitoring physiological pregnancy as well as in detecting pathological alterations when present. Further, the assessment of laboratory parameters during pregnancy is considered as part of the routine examination for pregnant women, and it is included in National and International antenatal care programs. For this purpose, antenatal screening programs usually include complete blood count, blood group and antibody screen as well as urine evaluation and measurement of glycemic conditions. Syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis are also usually evaluated to prevent transmission to the newborn. Appropriate pregnancy reference intervals are also needed to help clinicians to interpret correctly laboratory results in pregnant women