Hydration status of pregnant women in West Jakarta.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During pregnancy, the body exhibits dynamic changes in fluid composition. More than 50%of women experience nausea and vomiting during the first trimester. Studies of hydration status in pregnant women are limited, and not in tropical countries, like in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to investigate the hydration status and appropriate biomarkers for determination of hydration status in pregnant women in West Jakarta.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study was cross-sectional. A total of 35 pregnant women aged (19-35 years) at the early second trimester of pregnancy was recruited. Urine osmolality, urine specific gravity, and serum osmolality were used to determine hydration status. Subjects then were divided into a hydration group (HG) and a dehydration group (DG). We used independent t tests, chi-square and Spearman rank correlation coefficient to analyse the data.

RESULTS: The population was comparably divided between dehydration and hydration groups (57.1% and 42.9%, respectively). The proportions by age, parity, gestational age, height, weight, upper arm circumference, waist circumference, pelvic circumference, body temperature, blood pressure, and fundal height did not differ between groups (p>=0.05). There was a relationship between urine colour and hydration status (p<0.05). Differences in hydration biomarker status (urine osmolality and urine specific gravity) were noted between the groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Dehydration may be common during pregnancy in tropical Indonesia and can be confirmed by the hydration biomarkers of urinary specific gravity and osmolality. Fluid balance is necessary to prevent health problems and intrauterine growth restriction in pregnant women.