Electrolytes concentration patterns in the three trimesters of pregnancy

Abstract

The physiologic adaptations of the pregnant woman involve the renal, cardiovascular and other systems of the body. This study aimed at evaluating electrolyte concentrations in the three trimesters of pregnancy. Blood samples were collected by aseptic techniques and the concentrations of electrolytes were determined using standard laboratory methods such as titration for chloride and bicarbonate and flame photometry for sodium and potassium. Eighty healthy volunteers consisting of 20 non-pregnant control and 20 pregnant women in each of the three trimesters of pregnancy participated in the study. The sodium concentrations in mmol/L were 135.91 ± 3.00, 136.42 ± 3.11, 135.70 ± 2.90, and 136.30 ± 2.52, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. The potassium concentrations in mmol/L were 3.51 ± 0.18, 3.49 ± 0.11, 3.53 ± 0.20, and 3.50 ± 0.21, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. The chloride concentrations in mmol/L were 103.50± 3.21, 103.60± 2.92, 104.70 ± 3.10, and 105.0 ± 3.02, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. The Bicarbonate concentrations in mmol/L were 25.75 ± 1.51, 26.11 ± 1.17, 25.69 ± 1.72, and 26.10 ± 1.13, for control, first trimester, second trimester and third trimester subjects respectively. This study revealed that the electrolytes sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate remained unchanged (p>0.05) as pregnancy advanced. This suggests that the kidneys are well adapted to the handling of electrolytes during pregnancy.

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“…Hypernatremia and hypokalemia observed in pre-eclamptic patients bring about imbalance of electrolytes in serum and therefore may act as causative factors in pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. 6 This study revealed non-significant relationship between electrolytes concentration and trimester however noted a mild variations in electrolytes concentration across the trimesters as opposed to the findings by Omorogiuwa et al, 5 , whose study opined that sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate remained unchanged in the three trimesters of pregnancy. However, Akinloye et al, 2013 observed no changes in sodium but significant increase in chloride concentration in first and 2 nd trimester which agrees with this study which revealed a 94% normal level of sodium and a significant increase in chloride in the second and third trimester.…”

“…Pregnancy is a unique state characterized by adaptive alterations in using systems of the body. 5 It is a period of fluid overload resulting from active sodium and water retention primarily induced by the activation of renin angiotensin system. 5 Deficiency of potassium, sodium, calcium and chloride are associated with different health conditions in pregnancy that has resulted to increased rate of foeto-maternal morbidity and mortality.…”

“…5 It is a period of fluid overload resulting from active sodium and water retention primarily induced by the activation of renin angiotensin system. 5 Deficiency of potassium, sodium, calcium and chloride are associated with different health conditions in pregnancy that has resulted to increased rate of foeto-maternal morbidity and mortality. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia observed in pre-eclamptic patients bring about imbalance of electrolytes in serum and therefore may act as causative factors in pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.…”

Peak expiratory flow rate and Pulse Pressure values during the Luteal and Menstruation Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

“…An informed consent was obtained from each subject. However, any subject with any of the exclusion criteria (Omorogiuwa and Iyawe, 2009) for Peak Expiratory Flow Rate was disqualified from the study. Prior to peak expiratory flow measurement, subjects were asked to empty their bladder and wear loosed clothing.…”

Dietary pattern and risk of dyslipidemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Kaduna South LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria

“…Elevated cholesterol levels in pregnancy is an adaptation of the body to provide precursors for the formation of steroid hormones. Cholesterol is a precursor of progesterone and of metabolic mediators such as oxysterol [33,34]. Maternal oxysterol status has been lined with pregnancy-induced hypertension [35,36].…”