Abstract

Pregnancy is a period of altered body systems. This study is aimed at assessing electrolytes level in the three trimesters of pregnancy. Blood samples of one hundred pregnant women in their various trimesters were collected by aseptic techniques into a lithium heparin bottle for electrolytes analysis. Using standard laboratory methods, the serum electrolytes level were analyzed using an automated blood gas and electrolytes analyzer (OPTI CCA – TS2). Based on Reference values of electrolytes during pregnancy, 94% had normal serum sodium concentration, potassium serum concentration 48% and Chloride serum while calcium serum concentration was low 12% across the trimesters. Descriptive statistics were used (frequency and percentage distribution) for socio-demographic characteristics; chi-square was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 20.0 was used to support the data analysis. The study revealed no significant relationship between electrolytes level and trimesters of pregnant women receiving antenatal care in the selected obstetric and gynaecological hospitals in a low income country. This may suggest poor kidney adaptation in maintaining electrolyte balance in pregnancy among the women, Therefore there may be need to assess electrolytes levels during antenatal care as part of routine investigations.

Keywords

Pregnancy, calcium, potassium, chloride, sodium