EXTRA- AND INTRACELLULAR MG AND ELECTROLYTE CONCENTRATIONS DURING PREGNANCY AND AT BIRTH: FETO-MATERNAL RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

During pregnancy, Mg deficiency may play a role in pathological states such as uteroplacental insufficiency, gestosis, premature delivery and low birth weight babies. A longitudinal study was undertaken to establish the normal values of the following parameters in maternal and mixed cord blood : plasmatic concentration of Na, K, P, Ca, Mg and protein and intracellular concentration of Na, K, Mg in lymphocytes and erythrocytes. During pregnancy, the previously described fall of total serum Mg concentration was found. The mean intracellular Mg however did not change significantly. However, in 10/35 women, intraerythrocyte and lymphocyte Mg concentration had a tendency to fall. At birth and for every studied extracellular ion but Na, there was a concentration gradient mother-cord indicating the role of the placenta in ionic transfers. In erythrocytes, there was a significant correlation between mother and cord blood for each ion. In lymphocytes, this correlation was only present for Mg. Furthermore, there was a constant correlation between Mg and K concentration in both erythrocytes and lymphocytes. This could be related to effect of Mg ions on cell membranes and/or the Na/K ATPase transport system.