hrvatski

Sodium-to Potassium Ratio as an Indicator of Diet Quality in Healthy Pregnant Women – Preliminary Results

Introduction: Sodium-to-potassium (Na-to-K) ratio has been suggested as a more reliable index for cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment than either Na+ or K+ intake alone. Na-to-K ratio of <1.0 has been suggested as a best balance. Present study aimed to investigate diet quality in healthy pregnant women at the third trimester of pregnancy based on the assessment of Na-to-K ratio from both Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and 24-hour urine samples. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. All the data for each healthy pregnant woman (N=27) were obtained at one-time point between 37 and 40 weeks of gestation. All participants collected 24-hour urine, and completed FFQ (EPIC-Norfolk food frequency questionnaire). 24hU Na-to-K ratio was estimated from 24-hour urine Na+ and K+ excretion, while FFQ Na-to-K ratio was assessed based on the FFQ results. Results Mean (±SD) age of participants was 30.3±4.1 years. Mean (±SD) 24-hour Na and K excretion, and calculated 24hU Na-to-K ratio was 125.3±38.3 mmol/dU, 54.5±20.4 mmol/dU and 2.44±0.78, respectively. Mean (±SD) FFQ estimated daily Na and K intake, and calculated FFQ Na-to-K ratio was 3.08±1.21 g/day, 3.60±1.03 g/day and 1.26±0.37, respectively. 24hU Na excretion did not significantly correlate with FFQ-estimated Na intake, just as 24hU K excretion did not correlate with FFQ-estimated K intake. Interestingly, there was a weak negative correlation between 24hU Na- to-K and FFQ Na-to-K ratio (R=-0.391, P=0.044). Discussion: Mean 24hU Na-to-K ratio of 2.44(±0.78) does not meet nutrition quality recommended by WHO (urinary Na-to-K ratio < 1.33), that refers to an Na intake less than 2000 mg/day and K intake more than 3500 mg/day. Conclusions: The Na-to-K ratio obtained by the FFQ (1.26±0.37) is much closer to the WHO recommendations, but there is superiority of the assessment of Na and K intake by 24-urine collection compared to FFQ.

sodium ; potassium ; diet ; urine ; pregnancy

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