engleski

Dietary Quality During Pregnancy: Is High Sodium or Low Potassium Intake the Culprit for High Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio?

Introduction: Sodium-to-potassium (Na-to-K) ratio has been recognized as a reliable index to assess the risk of cardiovascular (CV) diseases in general population. World Health Organization recommends intake of 2000 mg/day of Na and 3500 mg/day of K resulting in Na-to-K ratio <1.0 as the best balance for preserving CV health. The aim of the present study was to investigate association between urinary Na-to-K ratio and dietary patterns in population of healthy pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study in which all the data were obtained at one-time point, involved 27 healthy pregnant women between 37 and 40 weeks of gestation. Na-to-K ratio was calculated from Na and K concentrations in 24-hour urine sample which was collected by each participant. Average daily food group intakes were obtained from food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (EPIC-Norfolk food frequency questionnaire) completed by each participant. Data were processed using appropriate software (FETA, FFQ EPIC Tool for Analysis). Results: Mean(±SD) age of participants was 30.3±4.1 years. Mean(±SD) 24-hour Na and K excretion was 125.3±38.3 mmol/dU and 54.5±20.4 mmol/dU, respectively, while calculated Na-to-K ratio was 2.44±0.78. Mean(±SD) Na and K daily intake estimated by FFQ was 3.08±1.21 g/day and 3.60±1.03 g/day. Higher Na-to-K ratio positively correlated with higher daily meat and meat products intake (R=0.402, P=0.038), and higher potatoes intake (R=0.382, P=0.047). Na-to-K ratio did not significantly correlate with other daily food group intakes, including vegetables, fruit, sugars, fats and oils etc. Discussion: Urinary Na-to K ratio in pregnant women is much higher than the values recommended by WHO. High urinary Na-to-K ratio seems to be the result of higher dietary intake of food groups associated with higher Na, rather than low K intake. Conclusion: Excessive Na intake seems to contribute more to high Na-to-K ratio than the reduced K intake in population of healthy pregnant women.

Sodium, Potassium, Diet, Urine, Pregnancy

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