Plasma Electrolyte Patterns among Pregnant Women with Hypertensive Heart Disorder in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Pregnancy characterizes noticeable physiological and hormonal changes, which could impact on plasma volume and electrolyte balance, influencing various aspects of maternal and fetal health. Hence, the objective of this is to examine the plasma electrolyte patterns AMONG pregnant women with hypertensive heart disorders in Benin City, Nigeria, using appropriate standard methods to focus on preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), and normotensive controls. Analysis of the plasma levels of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride revealed no significant changes between the groups when all trimesters were taken into account. As investigated per trimester, preeclamptic patients showed significantly lower plasma levels of sodium in the second and third trimesters as compared to controls. Conversely, PIH individuals exhibited elevated calcium levels during these trimesters. Severity of preeclampsia did not significantly influence plasma sodium, potassium, or chloride levels, and the influence of body mass index (BMI) toward the distribution of electrolytes among preeclamptic patients was negligible. The findings suggest that while plasma electrolyte levels are generally consistent across groups, certain patterns emerge when considering the trimester and type of hypertensive heart disorder. Further studies could elucidate the implications of these variations and contribute to improved clinical management for pregnant women with hypertensive heart disorders.