Plasma renin activity, aldosterone level, serum and urinary electrolytes in normal pregnant women aged 35 and older.
Plasma renin activity (PRA), the plasma aldosterone (PA) level, and serum and urinary electrolytes were measured in 39 elderly pregnant women of greater than or equal to 35 (Group 1) and in 60 pregnant women less than 35 (Group 2) every four weeks from the 20th week of gestation to the fourth week postpartum. The PRA and PA levels increased in both groups. The PA levels increased after the 20th week and reached a peak at the 32nd week of gestation, while PRA decreased after the 20th week of gestation. This dissociation was observed in both groups. Daily urinary sodium excretion in Group 1 was higher than that of Group 2, while daily potassium excretion was not different between the two groups. Higher aldosterone secretion was observed after the 20th week of pregnancy in Group 1. It is concluded that pregnancy in older women is associated with higher sodium excretion and aldosterone secretion.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Municipal Women and Children Hospital, Taiwan R.O.C.
S J
SJ
Wu
Y L
YL
Tsai
B S
BS
Hsieh
D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*
D004573:Electrolytes; D000450:Aldosterone; D012083:Renin