We studied 89 non-diabetic patients of acute ischaemic stroke, confirmed by imaging, admitted within 24 hours of onset, to investigate the prevalence and significance of micro-albuminuria (MA) as a predictor of in-hospital mortality. Two control groups consisted of 70 patients with non-stroke chronic neurological diseases and 60 age- and sex- matched healthy individuals. Spot urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio was measured in first morning sample on days 1, 4 and/or 7. Functional status was assessed daily for 7 days by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Outcome data were recorded for 14 days. MA was found in 61.79% of acute ischaemic stroke patients on day 1 compared to 13% in non-stroke neurological patients and 7% of healthy controls. Patients with MA were older and had a higher systolic blood pressure. The 14-day disease-specific mortality was higher in patients with MA (25.45%) compared to patients without it (5.88%). High day 1 MA (>100 microg/mg) and rising or static value from day 1 to day 4 or day 7 correlated with statistically more chance of death. Increasing MA had a positive correlation with higher NIHSS score. Thus, MA was found to be a reliable predictor of shortterm in-hospital mortality in acute ischaemic stroke.