F2. Maternal body fluid composition in uncomplicated pregnancies and preeclampsia: a bioelectrical impedance analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Body fluid composition (BFC) changes during the course of pregnancy and evidence is growing that these changes are different in uncomplicated pregnancies compared to hypertensive pregnancies.

Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in maternal BFC during the course of uncomplicated pregnancy (UP) using bioimpedance analysis, as a reference to measurements in hypertensive pregnancies. BFC was assessed using a multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance analyser. Five hundred and seventeen measurements were performed in 276 patients with UP. Single measurements were performed at diagnosis in 34 patients with gestational hypertension (GH), 35 with late onset preeclampsia (LPE) and 11 with early onset preeclampsia (EPE). Longitudinal linear mixed model based analysis and ANOVA with a post hoc Bonferroni was performed as appropriate.

Results: Total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW) and ECW/ICW significantly increase during the course of pregnancy, whereas intracellular water (ICW) does not (Figure 1).

Significant differences between uncomplicated pregnancies and the hypertensive groups are presented in Table 1 (mean ± standard deviation).

Conclusions: BFC changes during the course of uncomplicated pregnancies and differs in and between hypertensive pregnancies.