Relationship between leucocyte sodium content and high blood pressure during development and resolution of pre-eclampsia

ABSTRACT

One hundred and five primigravidae were followed sequentially at 4-weekly intervals starting at gestational week 31. They were seen again at 6 weeks post partum. At each visit measurement were made of blood pressure as well as of leucocyte and erythrocyte sodium and potassium content. Eighty-five subjects completed the study. Seven developed pre-eclampsia. In both controls and patients who developed pre-eclampsia, leucocyte and erythrocyte sodium content increased with gestational age and fell post partum. These changes were of greater magnitude in the patients with pre-eclampsia. Cell potassium fell in both groups, but to a greater extent in patients with pre-eclampsia. These changes in cell sodium paralleled those in blood pressure in both groups. These data suggest that the excessive blood pressure changes in pre-eclampsia might be related to similar changes in cell sodium content (AU)