Changes in serum potassium levels during pregnancy in Nigerian women.

Abstract

SummaryIn our study of potassium levels in normal pregnant Nigerian women the mean serum potassium concentration was 5 .80+ 1.50 mEq/liter (pooled data of all pregnant women irrespective of gestational age). This level decreased with maternal age and parity and increased progressively with gestational age. The value recorded in the first trimester was 4.50±0.35 mEq/liter, which increased to 5.85±0.80 mEq/liter in the second trimester and to 6.00+0.60 mEq/liter in the third trimester.Apart from other factors that affect serum potassium levels during pregnancy, the social status of the pregnant women was also found to influence the values, rising from 5.50±0.10 mEq/liter in the case of farmers to 6.00±0.20 mEq/liter in the case of civil servants . The nutritional implications of this study with respect to proper fetal development is discussed.