Which condition is characterized by the presence of glucose in the urine during pregnancy?

Glycosuria is the condition characterized by the presence of glucose in the urine, and it commonly occurs during pregnancy. This happens when the kidneys are unable to reabsorb all the glucose filtered from the blood due to increased levels of hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and changes in renal function. During pregnancy, as the body undergoes various metabolic adaptations, blood glucose levels can rise, which may exceed the renal threshold, leading to glucose spilling into the urine.

Recognizing glycosuria is important because it can be an indication of gestational diabetes, which may require further testing and management to ensure the health of both the mother and baby during pregnancy.

The other conditions mentioned, such as hypertension, edema, and placenta previa, do not involve the presence of glucose in the urine and are related to different physiological changes or complications during pregnancy. For example, hypertension refers to elevated blood pressure, edema involves fluid retention and swelling, and placenta previa is a condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, none of which are associated with glycosuria.