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CHANGES IN PLASMA SODIUM, POTASSIUM AND CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN PREGNANCY AND THE PUERPERIUM, WITH PLASMA AND SERUM OSMOLALITY
Author(s) -
Macdonald H. N.,
Good W.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1971.tb00341.x
Subject(s) - potassium , sodium , plasma osmolality , endocrinology , medicine , pregnancy , chemistry , gestation , biology , organic chemistry , genetics
Summary Serial estimations of plasma sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations, with plasma and serum osmolality, have been made during pregnancy and the early puerperium. Both sodium and potassium concentration decrease until 28 weeks, after which both rise, potassium significantly so. Plasma chloride concentration and serum osmolality rise significantly from 10 to 37 weeks, but plasma osmolality falls below the serum value as pregnancy progresses, and this difference is significant at 37 weeks gestation. There are significant increases in plasma potassium and sodium concentrations and of both plasma and serum osmolality in the early puerperium, when plasma chloride concentration falls. The possible physiological significance of these findings is discussed. Plasma is preferred to serum for the estimation of osmolality during pregnancy.