A Study on the Sodium and Potassium Intakes and Their Metabolism of the Pregnant Women in Korea

한국인임신부(韓國人姙娠婦)의 Sodium과 단백질섭취량(蛋白質攝取量) 및 대사(代謝)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究)

The purpose of this study was to investigate sodium intake and protein metabolism for pregnant women in Korea. The relationship between salt consumption and hypertension, electrolyte changes in pregnancy, and the tendency of weight gain of pregnant women were also examined. The dietary survey and twelve or twenty-four hour's urine collection was performed in this study. The subjects were pregnant women who came to gynecology clinic for prenatal care from July to August in 1984. The results were as follows: 1) Intakes of calorie and iron of Korean pregnant women were 2,036 Kcal and 16mg per day per person. The calorie composition consists of 65% carbohydrate, 16% protein, and 19% lipids. The average level of all nutrients was about 87% of Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. 2) The sodium intakes in pregnant women estimated by dietary survey was 318.6 mEq Na (7,966 mg Na), which is equivalent to 20.2 g NaCl. 3) Daily sodium excretion was 112.5 mEq per liter, that is equal to 147.4 mEq. Potassium excretion was 24.95 mEq per liter and creatinine excretion was 594.0 mg per day. 4) There were statistically significant correlations between sodium intake and the excretions of sodium, potassium and creatinine. The blood pressure was positively correlated with sodium intakes. As sodium and potassium ratio was increased, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were also significantly increased 5) Urinary nitrogen and creatinine ratio known to be reliable index for nutritional status of protein was 5.5 : 1. These values were comparable to the values in American pregnant women. 6) The weight gain during the pregnancy was examined. There was little weight gain during the first trimester, because of nausea, vomit and decrease of appetite. The weight gain during the second trimester was 4.9Kg, and 11.1Kg for third trimester.