Serum sodium and potassium levels in preeclampsia: A case-control study in a large tertiary hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia remains a poorly understood complication of pregnancy affecting 5–14% pregnancies worldwide. Recent studies indicate that serum electrolytes may play a role in preeclampsia since it is a vascular endothelial disorder. Aim: To compare serum sodium and potassium levels between preeclamptics and normotensive pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods and materials: This was a case-control study consisting of 30 preeclamptics and 30 normotensive pregnant women recruited consecutively at their first third trimester pre-natal visit at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Serum sodium and potassium were analysed using Sherwood Flame Photometer (Model 420 Sherwood Scientific Ltd, UK). Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) software version 20.0 and presented as means (standard deviation). A p-value of ≤0.05 was judged significant. Results: There was a significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum sodium levels in preeclamptics (mean = 136.13; SD = 4.17 mmol/L) compared to normotensive pregnant women (mean = 142.17; SD = 5.66 mmol/L). There was a significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum potassium levels in preeclamptics (mean = 3.45; SD = 0.54 mmol/L) compared to normotensive pregnant women (mean = 3.98; SD = 0.36 mmol/L). Conclusion: The reduced levels of serum sodium and potassium in preeclampsia as compared to normotensive pregnant women, suggests that changes in these electrolytes may be associated with preeclampsia.

Keywords:

• preeclampsia
• pathophysiology
• sodium
• potassium

Public Interest Statement

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy with most deaths occurring in low to middle income countries. The cause of preeclampsia largely remains unknown. Changes in maternal serum mineral ions during pregnancy have been suggested as a possible cause. Research on maternal deficiencies of mineral ions during pregnancy in Ghana is lacking. This study was therefore carried out to examine the role maternal blood levels of sodium and potassium play in the development of preeclampsia. We observed in our study, a marked reduction in maternal sodium and potassium in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to all health workers and patients at the obstetrics and gynaecology unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Special thanks goes to Prof Samuel Obed, Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Authors’ contribution

Ebenezer Owusu Darkwa is a consultant Anaesthetist of the Department of Anaesthesia, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The author designed the study and wrote the manuscript which is part of his MPhil. Physiology thesis.

Robert Djagbletey is a consultant Anaesthetist of the Department of Anaesthesia, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. He participated in designing the study.

Charles Antwi-Boasiako, Head of Physiology Department, School of Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Ghana helped in preparing the manuscript.

Alexander Akowuah and Daniel Sottie of the Department of Anaesthesia, Korle-Bu Teaching assisted in data collection

George Aryee of the Department of Anaesthesia, University of Ghana assisted in data analysis.

All authors read and approved the final manuscript

Ethical approval

Ethical Approval for the study was obtained from the Ethical and Protocol Review Committee of University of Ghana, School of Medicine and Dentistry (Protocol Identification Number: CHS-Et/M.4-P4.5/2015-2016). Clearance was also received from the Management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Heads of Clinical units where the study was conducted.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ebenezer Owusu Darkwa

Ebenezer Owusu Darkwa was an MPhil student at the department of Physiology, University of Ghana at the time of carrying out this study. This study is part of the research on the role of some selected serum electrolytes and nitric oxide in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia in Ghanaian women. He is a consultant Anaesthesiologist and a lecturer at the Department of Anaesthesia, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The research team has a large interest in body fluid and electrolytes physiology in general. His research interest is in electrolyte physiology of pregnant women and how it affects their general health perioperatively.