Relationship between Late-Pregnancy Serum Electrolyte (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, & Chloride) Abnormalities and Hypertension throughout Pregnancy
The current study aims to investigate the relationship between late-pregnancy serum electrolyte (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, & Chloride) abnormalities and hypertension throughout pregnancy. Blood pressure readings and biochemistry ion analyses were performed. Measurements were made of serum potassium, sodium, chloride, and ionized calcium.102 participants were trained on blood sample collection, data collection, and informed consent. Ion-selective transducer potentiometry was used to determine blood ion levels. Participants were divided into three groups based on ion cut-offs. The study assessed the correlation between ion categories and pregnancy-related hypertension using logistic regression. The study involved participants aged 15-47 years, with 56.52% being between 21-30 years. Serum abnormalities for sodium, potassium, and chloride ions were low, with hypokalaemia being more common than hyperkalaemia. Ionized and total calcaemia were found to be significantly associated with hypertension during pregnancy. Hypertensive pregnant women had higher ionized hypocalcaemia occurrences than normotensive women. Pregnant women with total hypocalcaemia had higher odds of developing hypertension during pregnancy compared to those with ionised normocalcaemia. Ionized hypocalcemia is uncommon in late pregnancy, while natraemia, kalaemia, and chloraemia are low. Both ionized hypercalcaemia and total hypocalcaemia are prevalent. Kalaemia variations within the normal range may affect the risk of hypertension. It is advised to regularly monitor electrolyte profiles in order to identify aberrations and control fetal outcomes. To establish the normal range of ionized calcaemia, more research is required.
