Medical Must-See: In the pink? This pregnant woman’s urine told a different story
Non-specific abdominal pain and limb weakness have a broad obstetric differential diagnosis
That famed pregnancy glow, while wonderous for the complexion, is far less desirable in urine.
As proven by this sample that fluoresced bright pink under ultraviolet light, illuminating a serious genetic disorder in an expectant mother.
The 23-year-old presented at six weeks’ gestation with severe diffuse abdominal pain, which she described as crampy and intermittent, and generalised limb weakness of three days’ duration.
Physical examination was significant for mild conjunctival pallor and diffuse guarding of the abdomen without rigidity or tenderness, while laboratory tests revealed a haemoglobin of 116g/L (normal: 120-150) and a serum sodium of 118mmol/L (normal: 136-145).
