n. the presence of albumin in the urine at levels that are higher than normal (>30 mg/24 hours) but lower than those detected by standard urine protein dipsticks (>300 mg/24 hours). The usual screening method for microalbuminuria is to measure the *microalbumin:creatinine ratio. In people with diabetes microalbuminuria is an important risk factor for the development of progressive kidney damage and (particularly in those with type 2 diabetes) coronary heart disease. At an early stage of microalbuminuria its presence may be reversed by careful control of blood pressure and blood glucose.
Health Encyclopedia