Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia remains a poorly understood complication of pregnancy affecting 5–14% pregnancies worldwide. Recent studies indicate that serum electrolytes may play a role in preeclampsia since it is a vascular endothelial disorder. Aim: To compare serum sodium and potassium levels between preeclamptics and normotensive pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods and materials: This was a case-control study consisting of 30 preeclamptics and 30 normotensive pregnant women recruited consecutively at their first third trimester pre-natal visit at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Serum sodium and potassium were analysed using Sherwood Flame Photometer (Model 420 Sherwood Scientific Ltd, UK). Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) software version 20.0 and presented as means (standard deviation). A p-value of ≤0.05 was judged significant. Results: There was a significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum sodium levels in preeclamptics (mean = 136.13; SD = 4.17 mmol/L) compared to normotensive pregnant women (mean = 142.17; SD = 5.66 mmol/L). There was a significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum potassium levels in preeclamptics (mean = 3.45; SD = 0.54 mmol/L) compared to normotensive pregnant women (mean = 3.98; SD = 0.36 mmol/L). Conclusion: The reduced levels of serum sodium and potassium in preeclampsia as compared to normotensive pregnant women, suggests that changes in these electrolytes may be associated with preeclampsia.
Highlights
Preeclampsia is one of the commonest aetiologies of foetal and maternal mortality and morbidity (Sukonpan & Phupong, 2005)
This consisted of 30 preeclamptics and 30 normotensive pregnant women
Compared to the normotensive pregnant women, a significant difference was observed in the mean systolic (p < 0.001), diastolic (p < 0.001) and mean arterial pressures (p < 0.001) of the preeclamptics
Summary
Preeclampsia is one of the commonest aetiologies of foetal and maternal mortality and morbidity (Sukonpan & Phupong, 2005) It is a multi-system disorder affecting approximately 5–7% of all pregnancies worldwide and it is the commonest, yet least understood disease of pregnancy (Ziaei, Ranjkesh, & Faghihzadeh, 2008). Aim: To compare serum sodium and potassium levels between preeclamptics and normotensive pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Results: There was a significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum sodium levels in preeclamptics (mean = 136.13; SD = 4.17 mmol/L) compared to normotensive pregnant women (mean = 142.17; SD = 5.66 mmol/L). There was a significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum potassium levels in preeclamptics (mean = 3.45; SD = 0.54 mmol/L) compared to normotensive pregnant women (mean = 3.98; SD = 0.36 mmol/L). Conclusion: The reduced levels of serum sodium and potassium in preeclampsia as compared to normotensive pregnant women, suggests that changes in these electrolytes may be associated with preeclampsia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
