The kidney and pregnancy.

Many clinical parameters and biochemical values normally change as a result of the profound effect of pregnancy on the kidney. These changes include hydronephrosis, decreased BUN and uric acid, proteinuria and glycosuria (70 percent one time), frequency, nocturia, edema (80 percent) and reductions in blood pressure. "Normal is abnormal." A BUN of 20 mg. percent is the equivalent of 40 mg. percent in a nonpregnant woman, and a blood pressure of 120/80 in the 24th week of preganancy may be hypertensive.