Total serum cholesterol and selected electrolytes during pregnancy among women residents in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa state Nigeria

Abstract

The incidence of high cholesterol, electrolytes imbalance and hypertension are emerging health issues prevalent among pregnant women globally. This study determines total serum cholesterol, selected electrolytes (Na+ and K+) and blood pressure of pregnant women subjects in Yenagoa metropolis. A total sample of two hundred pregnant women subjects aged 18->40years with 80, 70, and 50 in their first, second, and third trimesters were randomly recruited. While total serum cholesterol was measured using oxidative and hydrolysis method the blood pressure and electrolytes were recorded by standard methods using automated electrolytes analyser and Omron digital blood pressure machine. One way ANOVA was used to analysed the data obtained for comparison between groups. Result from the study shows a significant (<0.05) increase in total serum cholesterol and percentage difference from the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Serum sodium concentration was slightly higher in the second trimester compared with the first and third trimesters while potassium concentration was slightly higher in the first trimester compared with other trimesters. The blood pressure of the participants were higher among subjects with high total serum cholesterol and age 34years and above during pregnancy. Findings from this study have shown slight decrease in serum potassium concentration among pregnant women with raised blood pressure compared to mean values of other subject groups.