Maternal plasma, blood and extracellular water volume at 34 to 38-week gestation and their influence on the neonatal body compartments at birth - abstract

ABSTRACT

Measurements of plasma volume (PV) and extra-cellular water volume (ECW) were performed on 13 pregnant Curacaoan women between 34 and 38 week gestation. Maternal PV and ECW were measured simultaneously, using a double indicator (Evan's blue/Sucrose) single injection dilution technique. Mean maternal PV and blood volume (BV) per kg bodyweight was 45 and 67.5 ml respectively. Mean ECW was 226.5 ml/kg which includes the ECW of the foetus, amniotoc fluid and placenta. The calculated corrected mean maternal ECW (mECW), excluding the products of conception, was 203.0 ml/kg. From all infants delivered by these mothers, total body water volume (TBW), ECw and PV were simultaneously measured, on the first day of life, using a triple-indicator (sucrose/D20/Evans' blue), single injection dilution technique. No relationship was observed between the measured maternal compartments at 34 -38 weeks and any of the determined body compartments of their infants, who were born some weeks later. No relationship was observed between the Maternal PV at 34 - 38 weeks and the neonatal birthweight (AU)